Stability analysis of yield, yield attributes and essential oil content in fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) evaluated under a long-term organic production system

Abstract

Eight varieties of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) were evaluated under field trial for their stability of yield, yield attributes and essential oil content under the organic production system in six consecutive years from 2016 to 2021. Mean square due to environment + (variety × environment) was significant for all the traits studied indicating the existence of variety × environment interaction. Based on the mean performance, regression coefficient and deviation from regression values, it was found that stability of yield and yield components are imparted in the varieties, GF-12 and AF-1 across the years through the stable performance of characters and like numbers of primary and secondary branches, number of umbels and umbellate and seed yield. However, variety RF-101 for essential oil content can be considered as most suitable, stable and adopted to organic production system compared to other varieties. Correlation analysis revealed highly positive relationship in plant height, number of primary branches, number of umbels and umbellate per plant and seed yield. Based on the findings, fennel growers are apprised to select stable high-yielding fennel varieties for the organic production systems in semi-arid regions of India. Along with their use in hybridization programmes to converge the stability characteristics of seed yield for the development of a stable variety adapted to a wider range of environments under organic production systems.