The effect of water salinity on seed yield and seed yield components of miracle genotypes of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.)

In order to study the effects of water salinity on fennel seed yield and seed yield components, an experiment was conducted at Agricultural and Natural Resource Research Center of Isfahan in a split plot experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replicates, during 2012- 2014. Four superior Foeniculum vulgare genotypes (Lorestan, Hamedan, P11- 820065 and 11486) in three treatments (control, 5 and 8 dS/m) were investigated. Number of inflorescences and umbels, seeds per umblets, seed yield, weight of 1000 seeds, plants height in 50% flowering and 100% flowering time, dry weight of plant aerial parts, plant dry weight/wet weight, days until 50% flowering and maturing time, percentage of essential oil and essential oil yield were evaluated. Results showed that the effect of salinity was significant on all traits with the exception of essential oil percentage. Effect of genotype wasn’t significant on seed per umblet and seed yield. Interactions of salinity and genotype were significant on all traits except for essential oil percentage. In control treatment P11- 820065 had the highest seed yield and essential oil yield (2359.8 and 91.5 kg/ha, respectively) but by increasing in salinity levels, seed yield of native genotypes was higher than P11- 820065 and Lorestan was the superior genotype with 1463 and 4/38 kg/ha, respectively. There was a positive correlation between seed yield with essential oil and forage yields. Based on the results, salinity stress decreased the seed, essential oil and herbage yield economically.