Genetic Variability and Character Associations Among Economic Traits in Fennel (Foeniculum vulgareMiller)

:Foeniculum vulgare Miller (Fennel) is an important medicinal and aromatic plant, belongs to‘Apiaceae’ family. Its seeds are effective against diseases affecting chest, spleen and kidneys. Fennel seeds are associated with high oil content which is used as flavoring agent. Variation among 37 genotypes was highly significant for all economic traits indicating important genetic variations. Genetic associations studies revealed the significant and positive genetic associations between seed yield and plant height (r = 0.228) and seed yield with diameter of main stem (r = 0.259), respectively. The diameter of main stem is also highly significant and positively correlated with plant height (r = 0.482) and umbel/plant (r = 0.432). Therefore, these traits may be important for the selection of parents for plant height which is contributing indirectly to seed yield. Positive and significant genetic association was also noticed between t-anethole content and diameter of main stalk reveals that plant with thick stem has higher t-anethole content.