Evaluate germination and seedling growth of three cultivars of fennel under diatomite and soil management

Abstract

Fennel is a plant belonging to the Apiacea (Umbelliferae) family, and used by humans for a long time for medicinal purposes. In order to evaluate the influence of different materials on germination and seedling growth of three cultivars of fennel, an experiment was conducted in 2018. The cultivars of fennel were Isfahan, Yazd, and Shiraz in main plots, and three materials including 100% soil, 50% diatomite + 50% soil, and 100% diatomite in subplots, were analyzed in a split plot experiment based on a randomized complete block design (CRBD) with three replications. The highest total germination percentage, coefficient of velocity of germination, epicotile length, fresh epicotile weight and dry epicotile weight was related to Isfahan. The maximum speed of germination, mean germination time, fresh length and dry leaf weight was achieved in Shiraz cultivar. The higher values of total germination percentage, speed of germination and mean germination time were related to 100% soil, while application of 50% of soil + 50% of diatomite had obtained the maximum values of radicle length, epicotile length, fresh epicotile weight, dry leaf weight and dry epicotile weight. The maximum values of coefficient of velocity of germination and fresh leaf weight was achieved in application of 100% diatomite. It seems that application of 50% soil + 50% diatomite and Isfahan and Shiraz cultivars have a great potential of seed germination of seedling growth.