Yield and yield components of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce) under different fertilizer and irrigation managements
摘要
This study aimed to evaluate the impact of various fertilizer sources and irrigation techniques on the yield and yield-related traits of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) cultivated in the Tefenni/Burdur Region of Türkiye during the 2021 and 2022 growing seasons. The experiment involved two irrigation systems (Drip irrigation: DI, and Sprinkler irrigation: SI) combined with three different fertilizer treatments (Chemical fertilizer: F1, Compost: F2, and Farmyard manure: F3). The chemical fertilizer was applied as ammonium nitrate at a rate of 150.0 kg ha⁻¹, while compost and farmyard manure were incorporated at rates of 5.0 t ha⁻¹ and 60.0 t ha⁻¹, respectively. Irrigation was scheduled at seven-day intervals, supplying water equivalent to 100% of the Class A pan evaporation. The research was designed as a split-plot experiment within a randomized complete block design, replicated three times. Results demonstrated that evapotranspiration during the growing seasons varied between 553.1 and 572.8 mm across all treatments. Key agronomic parameters exhibited the following ranges: plant height ranged from 72.1 to 85.6 cm; the number of branches per plant varied between 5.6 and 10.1; umbels per plant ranged from 27.1 to 75.0; seeds per umbel ranged between 197.2 and 321.7; 1000-seed weight varied from 9.6 to 13.0 g; and the total essential oil content was measured between 2.67% and 3.83%. The highest yield was achieved with the DIF1 treatment, whereas the SIF3 treatment resulted in the lowest yield. Regarding water use efficiency, it was determined that drip irrigation is a more suitable method than sprinkler irrigation for fennel cultivation.