Analysis of Genetic variability and Character association in Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) Germplasm

Two hundred sixteen germplasms with six check varieties of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) were evaluated in augmented randomized complete block design in four blocks during Rabi 2016-17 at Research Farm, SKN college of agriculture, Jobner to determine nature of variability, character association. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes and checks for all the characters except days to 50 per cent flowering in genotypes. The highest PCV and GCV expressed as percentage was observed for seed yield per plant followed by seeds per umbel, umbels per plant, branches per plant, umbellets per umbel, test weight, plant height, days to maturity and days to 50 per cent flowering. The high estimates of heritability and genetic advance were found for seed yield per plant, seeds per umbel, umbels per plant and branches per plant whereas it was low for days to 50 per cent flowering and days to maturity. Correlation studies revealed that seed yield per plant was significantly and positively correlated with test weight, seeds per umbel, umbellets per umbel and umbels per umbel. Out of 216 genotypes, 14 genotypes were better than the best check variety RF-125 on the basis of seed yield per plant. Some of the promising genotypes identified on the basis of seed yield per plant were UF-4, UF-16, UF-20, UF-23, UF-55, UF-61, UF-79, UF-88, UF-145, UF-149, UF-151, UF-168, UF-172 and UF-189. These superior genotypes can be used as donors in breeding programme.