Genetic Diversity in Wild Ecotypes of Fenugreek (Trigonella monantha C. A. Mey.) Based on Morphological Traits

To investigate genetic diversity using morphological traits and to determine the relationship between seed yield and its components, 40 Trigonella monantha ecotypes collected from different areas in Iran and are preserved in the National Plant Gene Bank of Iran were evaluated. The results showed significant differences (P < 0.01) among ecotypes for all the evaluated traits. Mean comparisons revealed that ecotype No. 1 (Lorestan- Azna1) was superior than the others for seed yield plant-1, sub branch number plant-1, number of leaves to the first flower, number of leaves plant-1, 100-seed weight, petiole length, and leaflet width. There was significant and positive correlation between seed yield and number of branches plant-1, number of leaves plant-1, 100-seed weight, and number of pods plant-1, petiole length, seed length, and seed width. Shannon index showed that pod shape, seed color, seed surface ornaments, pod distribution in the plant had high variability. Stepwise regression analysis indicated that 100-seed weight, number of pod plant-1, petiole length and pod length had significant effects on the seed yield. Factor analysis using principle components method could extract nine factors that in total explained 75.66% of the total variance. Cluster analysis for quantitative and qualitative traits classified the ecotypes into four and five different groups, respectively. In conclusion, there is high genetic diversity in the wild ecotypes of T. monantha for the morphological traits which can be used in fenugreek breeding programs.