INFLUENCE OF FOLIAR APPLICATION WITH METHIONINE AND ZINC ON YIELD AND CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF FENNEL (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) PLANTS.

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Botany Dept., National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.

Abstract

TLi:! present work was carried out at Salhia, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt
during 1998/99 and 1999/2000 seasons. Fennel plants were sprayed with methionine
at the rates of 0,50,100 and 200 ppm with or without three concentrations of zinc (as
zinc sulphate) 0,50 and 100 ppm. Plants were sprayed twice during the season with
methionine and zinc . The results indicated that application of methionine reduced
plant height, chlorophyll content, soluble sugars and nitrogen content. While,
methionine at 100 and 200 ppm increased number branches and umbels 1 plant,
fruits yield, essential oil yield , total carbohydrates, P and K contents. Generally,
application of zinc showed positive effects on growth, yield and chemical constituents
of fennel. The combination between application of methionine at 100 ppm and zinc at
50 ppm increased significantly essential oil and fruits yield compared to control.
While, the highest values of branches and umbels number 1 plant, essential oil yield
and percentage; total carbohydrates and phosphorus contents resulted from spraying
of methionine at 100 ppm combined with zinc at 100 ppm.

Keywords