Determination of agro-morphological and quality characteristics and genetic relationships with agro-morphological and quality properties of native and foreign-originated sweet fennel (Foeniculum vulgare mill. var. dulce) cultivars and populations at the molecular level

This study was carried out to determine the agro-morphological and quality characteristics and genetic relationships of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce) cultivars and populations of local and foreign origin obtained from different regions under Van ecological conditions in 2022 and 2023 at the molecular level. The research was carried out according to the randomized blocks experimental design with 3 replications. A total of 38 fennel genotypes were used as plant material in the experiment, one of which was a registered variety (Berfena) originating from Germany and 37 genotypes of local and foreign origin. According to the results obtained in the study, statistically significant differences were determined among fennel genotypes in terms of phenological, yield and quality components. Fruit yields per decare varied between 103.33-242.00 kg/ha as the average of two years. The highest fruit yield was obtained from Sazak village genotype, followed by İzmir (236.95 kg/da) and Şanlıurfa I (223.51 kg/da) genotypes. Essential oil ratios varied between 1.12-3.84% and the genotype with the highest essential oil content was Berfana variety. In terms of essential oil components, the main components were trans-anethol (38.33-90.3%), estragol (3.96-42.56%), fenchone (0.83-11.51%) and limonene (1.91-15.21%). As a result, in terms of fruit yield per decare, essential oil rate and its components and other characteristics, it was determined that the genotypes of local origin Burdur-Sazak village genotype, Izmir, Şanlıurfa I and Tokat I genotypes and foreign origin fennel genotypes Berfena and Berg originating from Germany, Erbil originating from Iraq and Urmia and Shiraz originating from Iran were the prominent genotypes with their high characteristics. In the study, molecular identification of 38 genotype samples of fennel was carried out and genomic DNA isolated from the samples was subjected to PCR analysis using universal ITS4 and ITS5 primers in order to amplify ITS regions and all PCR products were identified as Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce as a result of analysis by Sanger sequencing. When the phylogenetic relationships of the samples were evaluated, it was determined that they were closely related to each other. Genetic differentiation was found between populations and the areas where they were found.