Evaluation of variation for yield and morphological traits in Dracocephalum moldavica L. genotypes

In order to study the genetic variation and relationships among traits، an experiment on 15 genotypes of Dracocephalum moldavica L. under field conditions was carried out in a randomized complete design with 4 replications in Payam Noor University، Esfahan. Morphological charaters، including fresh and dry herb yield، plant height، stem diameter، number of auxiliary shoots، number of leaves/plant، 1000- grain weight، essential oil yield and essential oil content. Results of analysis of variance showed، significant differences for all studied traits (p< 0. 01) with the exception of essential oil content. High values of phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation were obtained for most traits، indicating high variability in the traits under study. Essential oil yield varied from 0. 49 (ml/pot) in genotype Khomeini Shahr to 0. 81 in genotype of Birjand. Essential oil yield had a significant high and positive correlation with fresh herb yield، number of auxiliary shoots، plant height، dry herb yield and essential oil content. Cluster analysis grouped the 15 genotypes within 3 groups. Genotypes in first group had higher essential oil yield، fresh herb yield، dry herb yield، plant height and number of auxiliary shoots. Our results indicate the presence of comparable genetic potentials in genotypes of Dracocephalum moldavica L. for cultivar development.