Evaluation of growth, seed yield and oil quantity and quality of some borage (Borago officinalis L.) populations and cultivars under Ahvaz weather condition

In order to evaluate the compatibility of some borage (Borago officinalis L.) populations and cultivars to Ahvaz weather condition, an experiment was carried out based on a randomized complete block design with eight treatments and three replications. The treatments were six populations (Ahvaz, Mashad, Andimeshk, Ghazvin, Esfehan and Mazandaran) and two cultivars (F1 and F2). Plant height, number of branches, leaf number, leaf area, fresh and dry weight of plants were measured at the full flowering stage. The one-thousand seed weight, seed and biological yields were measured at the end of the growing period. The seed oil was extracted by Soxhelt system and analyzed by gas chromatoghraphy (GC). Results showed that there was a significant difference between populations and cultivars for all morphological traits (p≥0.01). The highest and lowest amounts of leaf number, leaf area, fresh and dry weight of plant, biological yield, and oil content were obtained in F1 and Esfehan population, respectively. Palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, α-linolenic,γ-linolenic, arachidonic and erucicacids were detected in all populations and cultivars. The highest (43.41%) and lowest (17.21%) amounts of linoleic acid were observed in Andimeshk and Mashad, respectively. Mashad population had the maximum amount (60.54%) of oleic acid. The lowest amount of oleic acid (18.49%) was recorded in Andimeshk. The highest (15.25%) and lowest (7.96%) amounts of γ-linolenic acid were observed in F1 and Mashad, respectively. Mazandaran and Mashad populations had the maximum and minimum amounts of α-linolenic acid. The highest amount of palmitic and stearic acids was observed in Esfahan and Mazandaran populations, respectively. Mashad had the lowest amount of palmitic and stearic acids. According to the obtained results, further researches are recommended to increase the F1 cultivation inside Khuzestan province.