Enhancing the productivity of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Miller) plants by using some organic and bio fertilizers treatments

This investigation was carried out at the private farm in Kuwait Village, El-Kharga New Valley Governorate, Egypt, during 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 seasons to determine the effect of two organic fertilizers (poultry and cattle manure) and the mixture of bacteria of Sewairi (Azotobacter chrococum, Azospirulm Brasiliense, Bacillus polymaxa) (MBS) and Azolla (AZ) on growth traits, fruit yield, volatile oil percentage and its chemical compounds of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Miller) plants as an attempt to improve the yield productivity and quality. The obtained results revealed that all organic and biofertilizers treatments significantly increased plant growth characteristics i.e. plant height, branch number, herb dry weight, umbel number /plant, fruit yield /plant and feddan as well as volatile oil yield compared to the untreated plants. Treating plants with a high level of poultry manure (10 m3/feddan) recorded the highest values for these parameters studied. Also, adding a mixture of MBS bacteria with Azolla extract together proved effective in increasing the characteristics under this study. All studied parameters were significantly affected by the interaction of the two factors under study. The main chemical compounds of volatile oil were affected by the application of organic and biofertilizers. The results of gas chromatographic analysis (GC/MS) showed that the fennel oil contains (12) compounds. When comparing percentages regarding the chemical compounds of volatile oil, we note that the compounds estragole, d-limonene, l-fenchone, and anethole contain the best percentages of volatile oil constituents compared to other compounds.