Evaluation of yield and morphological traits in Iranian populations of Yarrow (Achillea millefoliumm L. and A. bieberestini L.)

Achillea L. is one of the most important native medicinal genuses of Iran. Morphological and agronomic traits in 27 populations of A. millefolium and in 14 populations of A. bieberestini were studied using a random complete blocks design with three replications in Alborz Research Center، Karaj، Iran. ANOVA suggested significant differences among 27 populations of A. millefolium for all morphological and agronomic traits except full flowering time. Significant differences were found among 14 populations of A. bieberestini for all morphological and agronomic traits. In both species of A. millefolium and A. bieberestini significant correlation coefficient were found between the plant height and the flower diameter. Comparison of dry matter yield and other characteristics of different populations indicated that populations with dry and hot origin in both species of A. millefoliuum and A. bieberestini had better productivity. Population Semnan (21657) in A. millefoliuum and population Park golestan in A. bieberestini showed better characteristics in plant height، plant diameter، main inflorescence diameter، dry matter yield and inflorescence number as compared with other populations، which could be suggested for breeding programs.