Assessment of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) Seed Germination Characteristics and Comparison of Different Seedling Growth Parameters at Initial Stages

By : Chitrangda Yadav, Priya Tomar, C P Malik

Page No: 241-247

Abstract
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare P. Mill.) belongs to the Apiaceae family. It is native to the Mediterranean region, but is now cultivated worldwide. It is an aromatic perennial. Fennel is one of the oldest cultivated plants and much valued as a medicinal Plant. Bulb fennel is high in vitamin C, and is also a good source of calcium, fibre and potassium. Germination occurs within about two weeks. Traits e.g. seedling growth shoot and root length (SL and RL), dry weight, and seed germination parameters e.g. mean germination rate, final germination percentage and seedling vigor index, Speed of germination (SOG), Coefficient of germination (COG), and germination Index (GI) were studied. Seed Stamina index (SSI) and Seedling growth (SG) were also recorded in 15 varieties .Varieties exhibited different levels of germination percentage ranging from 26.7-93.4%. SOG was maximum in most varieties with similar range 2(RF-125), 3(RF-143), 5(RF-145), 6(RF-205), 8(CO-01), 9(GF-02), 11(GF-12), 12(Rajendra Saurabh), 13(Plant Madhurika) and 15(Local variety) and lowest in variety 10(GF-11). COG was maximum in variety 1(RF-101) whereas in variety 10(GF-02) it was minimum. While as, highest MGT was recorded in variety 10(GF-11) and lowest was observed in variety 14(Hisar swarup). Significant differences were observed in shoot and root length of different varieties. Maximum shoot length was observed in variety 1(RF-101), whereas the minimum was observed in variety 10(GF-11). Variety 6(RF205) showed maximum root length while variety 10(GF-11) showed minimum. The vigor index was found to be maximum in variety11 (GF-12) and minimum in variety 10(GF-11).

Authors :
Chitrangda Yadav, Priya Tomar and C. P. Malik : School of Life sciences, Jaipur National University, Jaipur-302017, Rajasthan, India