Investigation of genetic variability in fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) using karyotype analysis

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) is an important, well-known aromatic and medicinal herb. In order to evaluate karyotipic variation and relationship between karyotipic traits of 16 Iranian Foeniculum vulgare accessions, an experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with five replications at biotechnology laboratory of Payame Noor University of Kermanshah, Iran. Using squash method several kariotipic characters were measured. All of the 16 fennel accessions had 22 chromosomes. Analysis of variance showed significant differences among the accessions for the studied traits. There was significant variation among the accessions for total chromosome form. There were significant differences between the groups for the karyotypic traits. Two satellites were observed in the accessions 14726 (Markazi), 8615 (Ardabil), 29667 (Ghazvin). One satellite was also observed in the other studied accessions. Based on Stebbins table, all of the accessions, except 18650 (Ardabil) located in 1A class while Ardabil accession located in 2A class. Hormozgan (24482) accession had minimum asymmetrical index while Ardabil accession had the greatest amount of Asymmetrical index value. Cluster analysis classified the accessions into 4 groups. Principle components analysis revealed that 99 percent of variance was explained by the first two principal components.