Comparison of Seed Yield and Its Related Components in Genotypes of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.)

Fennel is a perennial and aromatic herb and its essential oil and extract is extensively used in pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetics industries. In order to compare seed yield and yield components in twelve genotypes of fennel (ten native populations and two foreign cultivars 11486 and P11- 820065), an experiment was conducted during 2004-2006 in Isfahan. The experiment was on the basis of randomized complete block design with three replications. Native populations were collected from Bushehr, Oromieh, Shiraz, Yazd, Isfahan, Mashhad, Lorestan and Hamedan. Different morphological, physiological, seed yield and percentage of essential oil of genotypes were recorded only in the second and third years as due to cold damage, data on traits could not be recorded in the first year. The results showed a significant difference for all traits among genotypes. The highest and the lowest seed yield were obtained from P11-820065 (561 gm-2) and Ebne Sina (201.22 gm-2), respectively. The experimental years had a significant effect on seed yield and essential oil percentage. Foreign cultivars had the highest plant height, seed yield and 1000 seed weight due to longer vegetative and reproductive periods. A positive correlation was obtained between seed yield and weight of 1000 seeds, days to rippning and number of umbels. Culivar P11-820065 can be recommended as a genotype with high seed yield and high essential oil for cultivation in the same climate as the experimental region.