Evaluation of fennel cultivars for use in breeding for productivity

Abstract

Relevance. Common fennel is a perennial herbaceous plant, traditionally used as a one- or two-year-old. The culture is cultivated for the production of essential oil, as a medicinal plant and spice. The introduction of highly productive varieties adapted to cultivation conditions can ensure the necessary production volumes of raw materials for the pharmaceutical, food, paint and perfume and cosmetic industries. The creation of new varieties involves the study of the gene pool and the identification of promising genotypes based on valuable traits.

Methods. 37 collection and selection varietals of various ecological and geographical origin were studied. The soil is ordinary medium–sized low-humus medium-loamy chernozem. The productivity of the green mass was taken into account in the phase of technical ripeness for greens (35th days from the beginning of spring regrowth of plants) and processing for oil (the beginning of fruit formation). The area of the plot (depending on the stage of the selection process) is 3–10 sq. m. The repetition is 1–4 times. The method of sowing is wide-row. Humidity and temperature conditions were very different during the years of research, which made it possible to give the studied material a comprehensive assessment.

Results. In the conditions of the zone of unstable humidification of the Stavropol Territory, the greatest variation among the studied cultivars was revealed by the length of the growing season, height, productive longevity, leafiness of plants, yield of green mass and seeds. 8 cultivars distinguished by a complex of signs and properties were included in the selection study. Using the biotype selection method from the resulting hybrid combination with a subsequent series of improving selections, a new variety of fennel ordinary Bachata was created, introduced since 2015. to the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation.