Introduction. There is a practical interest in biofuels production from bioomass of perennial cereal grasses such as switchgrass, which is characterized by relatively high yields, low water and fertilization demand, reliable productivity in a wide geographical area, reduced soil erosion, carbon sequestration and improved wildlife habitat. The crop is propagated mainly by seeds, which is characterized by a long dormancy period, which leads to low field germination and uneven germination.
 Methods. Laboratory, visual, measuring and weighing, mathematical and statistical.
 Results. The main restraining factor in switchgrass widespread introduction into production and one of the ways to reduce the biological state of rest is stratification. Therefore, the aim of the research was to investigate the influence of seed stratification on the seed vigour and germination depending on the switchgrass varietal characteristics. The article presents the results of research on the seed stratification influence on its vigor and germination depending on varietal characteristics in order to reduce the biological dormancy of seeds and significantly increase germination. Determination of the response of different genotypes to stratification, the effect of low temperature on seed germination was carried out using seeds of four varieties of different groups of maturity: American origin varieties Foresburg — early, Cavein-rock — mid-late, Alamo — late and Ukrainian origin Morozko — midlate. Stratification, i. e. cooling seeds for 7 days at a temperature of 10◦C and germination at a temperature of 20◦C provided a significant increase in seed vigour and seed germination of all studied varieties. On average, the germination energy increased by 5% and germination by 4%. Seeds stratification differently affected seeds quality depending on varietal characteristics, while no natural changes in the seed quality by maturity groups were observed. It was found that stratification had a greater impact on germination energy, with the share of impact being 20%.
 Conclusions. Stratification provided a significant increase in seed vigour and germination in all studied varieties. On average, seed vigour increased by 5% and germination by 4%. But this measure does not provide a complete solution to reduce the biological state of seed dormancy.