Effects of salt stress on the yield components, essential oil content and cholorophyll concentration of three fennel populations

In order to study the effects of salt stress on the yield components, essential oil content and cholorophyll concentration of three fennel populations an experiment was conducted at Shahrekord University in 2010. The factors were salinity stress (0, 40 and 80 mM) and fennel populations (Esfahan, Meybod and Hamedan). The experiment design was factorial experiment in the base of randomized complete design with three replications. The measured traits were dry and fresh plant weight, umbel no./plant, 1000 seed weight, seed yield, essential oil of inflorescence and cholorophyll content. Mean comparison was conducted using LSD range test (at 1% level). Plants treated with NaCl alone showed a reduction in plant dry and fresh weight, umbel no./plant, 1000 seed weight, see yield and cholorophyll content but oil of inflorescence increased. Among populations Hamedan yield components had more reduction than the two other populations in saline conditions, whereas Esfahan was less affected. Using the salinity stress seems to increase the essential oil percentage in fennel. Essential oil percentage was the highest in 40 m mol L-1 salinity treatment, whereas the lowest was in the control condition.