Influence of Foliar Boron Application and Sowing Dates on the Vegetative Development and Yield of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.)

A field experiment was conducted during the 2021-22 winter season at the Agriculture Research Station, belong to the college of Agriculture, University of Anbar, Iraq, to study the growth and flowering characteristics of fennel plants Foeniculum Vulgare Mill. using different concentrations of boron and planting dates. Three planting dates (15 Nov, 1 Dec, and 15 Dec) and three boron concentrations (0, 50, and 100 mg L-1) were examined. The experiment was done by the split-plot arranged by (RCBD) design and replicated three time. The results indicated significant differences for planting dates when the second date recorded the highest averages for vegetative growth characteristics; plant height, number of branches per plant, leaf chlorophyll content, and plant dry weight, and flowering characteristics (number of primary and secondary inflorescences of the fennel plants. Spraying with boron at a high concentration also improved plant height, number of branches per plant, leaf chlorophyll, plant dry weight, and flowering characteristics (main and secondary inflorescences). The interaction between the studied factors showing the behavior individually or together on all the studied traits   and it can be most reliable results for improving fennel cultivation in Iraq