Evaluation of the genetic diversity of Silybum marianum L. ecotypes using yield components, morphological and phenological traits

This study was aimed to evaluate various ecotypes of Silybum marianum L., collected from different parts of Iran, as well as the Budakalasz variety and two ecotypes from England. The experiment was performed in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in the agricultural farm of the Ramin Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan. The evaluated traits included yield, yield components, and morphological and phenological traits. Analysis of variance showed statistically significant difference among the traits except phenological traits. Molasani 2 and Shush 2 with 4.2 and 1.7 tons/hectare had the highest and lowest yield, respectively. In addition, the yield of Budakalasz variety was estimated to be 2.2 tons/hectare. The smallest canopy among the study ecotypes belonged to Shush 2. Among the phenological traits studied, only the flowering period was statistically different (α