Evaluation of anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) accessions with regard to morphological characteristics, fruit yield, oil contents and composition

A field experiment was carried out to determine morphological characteristics, fruit yield, oil contents and composition of accessions of anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) during 2007 to 2008. A total of fifteen accessions were studied: (1) 15104614 Martin Bauer; (2) 15104893 Martin Bauer; (3) 16101709 Martin Bauer; (4) 16103904 Martin Bauer; (5) 16104662 Martin Bauer; (6) N. L. Chrestensen Erfurt; (7) Hild; (8) Izmir Turkey; (9) Cultivar 903 Nebelung; (10) Cultivar 904 Nebelung; (11) Pharmasaat; (12) Quedlinburg; (13) Enza Zaden Nederland; (14) Heil-Z Aussaatrest 07 Landwirt Heil; (15) Heil-nB Aussaatrest 07 Landwirt Heil. The maximum number of primary branches and umbels per plant were produced by 15104614 Martin Bauer, 16103904 Martin Bauer and N. L. Chrestensen Erfurt, whereas, Heil-Z Aussaatrest 07 Landwirt Heil produced the lowest number of primary branches and umbels per plant in 2008. A greater number of primary branches and umbels per plant were observed in the year 2007, compared with 2008, for any accession, suggesting the independency of accessions. Current trials showed that a higher infection rate withCercospora malkoffii was estimated in accessions (1: 15104614 Martin Bauer, and 8: Izmir Turkey) in both seasons. The highest fruit yields of 0.47 and 0.46 t ha-1 were noticed in accessions (15: Heil-B Aussaatrest 07 Landwirt Heil and 2: 15104893 Martin Bauer), respectively, in 2007, whereas the lowest values were observed with accessions (1: 15104614 Martin Bauer, 3: 16101709 Martin Bauer, 7: Hild and 8: Izmir Turkey) in 2007. In current trials, maximum oil content was obtained in accessions 2, 11, 15 and 5, 11, 13 whereas the lowest concentration was determined in accessions 1, 3, 7 and 3, 4, 7 in 2007 and 2008, respectively. The major constituent in the essential oil of the tested accession fruits was found to be a phenylpropanoid, namely trans-anethole, which ranged from 82.9 to 90.9 and 90.5 to 95.7 in 2007 and 2008, respectively. The highest level of trans-anethole was noted in accessions 3, 7 and 8. Current results demonstrate that availability of various accessions provides the opportunity for anise production to meet the market requirement. Key words: Accessions, anise, fruit yield, estragol, trans-anethole.