1- agricultural jihad organization
2- University of Zanjan
2- University of Zanjan
Abstract: (12 Views)
Extended Abstract
Introduction and Objective: Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (fennel), a valuable medicinal and spice plant belonging to the Apiaceae family, possesses numerous bioactive compounds and significant pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antispasmodic characteristics. This perennial plant, which can grow up to 2.5 meters depending on the genotype, is considered a low-demand crop with high economic value due to its high resistance to environmental stresses and pests. Iran, as one of the origins of this plant, holds a significant share in its global production, and remarkable genetic diversity is observed in its local populations. Its genetic diversity plays a key role in breeding programs, enabling the selection and development of cultivars with resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, as well as improved mechanized harvesting and higher yield. This research was conducted to evaluate the genetic diversity of different fennel populations and to identify traits affecting yield.
Materials and Methods: Fifteen native fennel populations and three imported populations from Turkey were evaluated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications over two consecutive years. Morphological, phenological, and yield-related traits were measured. The data were initially analyzed using a split-plot in time ANOVA. The main effect of population was significant for all traits except the number of umbels, indicating high genetic diversity among populations. Furthermore, since the year × population interaction was significant for most traits, ANOVA, mean comparisons, and cluster analysis were subsequently performed separately for each year within an RCBD framework. Cluster analysis (using Ward's method), correlation analysis, stepwise regression, and path analysis were conducted using the two-year data.
Results: In separate analysis of variance in a randomized complete block design, differences between populations were significant in both years for all traits, except for the number of umbrellas in the second year. In the mean comparisons for the first year, the Konya, Mersin, and Ekdenez populations had the highest grain yieds, respectively, and Shirvan had the lowest grain yield. In the second year, the highest grain yield belonged to Isfahan and Ebn Sina, while Mersin and Konya had the lowest grain yields. Cluster analysis grouped the populations into three distinct clusters, which largely corresponded to their geographical distribution. A significant positive correlation was found between grain yield and single-plant yield (r = 0.62), number of umbels (r = 0.56), and survival percentage (r = 0.69). In the stepwise regression analysis, four traits, number of umbels, 1000-grain weight, single-plant biomass, and days to maturity, justified 60.4% of the variation in grain yield. Path analysis revealed that the number of umbels (β = 0.462), single-plant biomass (β = 0.404), and 1000-grain weight (β = 0.269) had direct positive effects on grain yield, while days to maturity (β = -0.280) had a direct negative effect.
Conclusion: The existence of significant genetic diversity the selection of superior genotypes for future breeding programs. The imported populations from Turkey, with lower winter survival rates (Ekdenez: 60.3%, Konya: 45.40%, Mersin: 47.63%), possessed higher 1000-grain weight, were very early-maturing, and had potential for mechanized harvesting (due to thin stem diameter, short height, and small distance between the first and final flowers). However, they lacked the ability to tolerate winter cold, and their single-plant yield, total yield, and total biomass significantly decreased in the second year. In contrast, most populations with higher winter survival capability exhibited traits such as greater plant height, later maturity, thicker stems, and higher biological yield. Overall, in fennel, particularly in cold-resistant populations, the growth period in the second year was shorter, while their single-plant yield, single-plant biomass, total yield, total biomass, and 1000-grain weight increased. Finally, the traits number of umbels, 1000-grain weight, and single-plant biomass are proposed as indirect selection criteria for improving yield.
Introduction and Objective: Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (fennel), a valuable medicinal and spice plant belonging to the Apiaceae family, possesses numerous bioactive compounds and significant pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antispasmodic characteristics. This perennial plant, which can grow up to 2.5 meters depending on the genotype, is considered a low-demand crop with high economic value due to its high resistance to environmental stresses and pests. Iran, as one of the origins of this plant, holds a significant share in its global production, and remarkable genetic diversity is observed in its local populations. Its genetic diversity plays a key role in breeding programs, enabling the selection and development of cultivars with resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, as well as improved mechanized harvesting and higher yield. This research was conducted to evaluate the genetic diversity of different fennel populations and to identify traits affecting yield.
Materials and Methods: Fifteen native fennel populations and three imported populations from Turkey were evaluated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications over two consecutive years. Morphological, phenological, and yield-related traits were measured. The data were initially analyzed using a split-plot in time ANOVA. The main effect of population was significant for all traits except the number of umbels, indicating high genetic diversity among populations. Furthermore, since the year × population interaction was significant for most traits, ANOVA, mean comparisons, and cluster analysis were subsequently performed separately for each year within an RCBD framework. Cluster analysis (using Ward's method), correlation analysis, stepwise regression, and path analysis were conducted using the two-year data.
Results: In separate analysis of variance in a randomized complete block design, differences between populations were significant in both years for all traits, except for the number of umbrellas in the second year. In the mean comparisons for the first year, the Konya, Mersin, and Ekdenez populations had the highest grain yieds, respectively, and Shirvan had the lowest grain yield. In the second year, the highest grain yield belonged to Isfahan and Ebn Sina, while Mersin and Konya had the lowest grain yields. Cluster analysis grouped the populations into three distinct clusters, which largely corresponded to their geographical distribution. A significant positive correlation was found between grain yield and single-plant yield (r = 0.62), number of umbels (r = 0.56), and survival percentage (r = 0.69). In the stepwise regression analysis, four traits, number of umbels, 1000-grain weight, single-plant biomass, and days to maturity, justified 60.4% of the variation in grain yield. Path analysis revealed that the number of umbels (β = 0.462), single-plant biomass (β = 0.404), and 1000-grain weight (β = 0.269) had direct positive effects on grain yield, while days to maturity (β = -0.280) had a direct negative effect.
Conclusion: The existence of significant genetic diversity the selection of superior genotypes for future breeding programs. The imported populations from Turkey, with lower winter survival rates (Ekdenez: 60.3%, Konya: 45.40%, Mersin: 47.63%), possessed higher 1000-grain weight, were very early-maturing, and had potential for mechanized harvesting (due to thin stem diameter, short height, and small distance between the first and final flowers). However, they lacked the ability to tolerate winter cold, and their single-plant yield, total yield, and total biomass significantly decreased in the second year. In contrast, most populations with higher winter survival capability exhibited traits such as greater plant height, later maturity, thicker stems, and higher biological yield. Overall, in fennel, particularly in cold-resistant populations, the growth period in the second year was shorter, while their single-plant yield, single-plant biomass, total yield, total biomass, and 1000-grain weight increased. Finally, the traits number of umbels, 1000-grain weight, and single-plant biomass are proposed as indirect selection criteria for improving yield.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
اصلاح نباتات، بیومتری
Received: 2025/11/16 | Accepted: 2026/02/17
Received: 2025/11/16 | Accepted: 2026/02/17
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