Up to date results in selection and registration of "small seeded" cultivars of Foeniculum vulgare mill. for large scale production

The large scale cultivation of Foeniculum vulgare and its taxa is going on in many countries of central and southern regions of Europe, in Asia (India, Japan, and Indonesia), Egypt, Argentina and Australia. Based on practical-technological considerations, the importance of production of "small seeded" cultivars of standard quality came into the center of interest. As a result of four years of individual selection, (1996-2000) three "small seeded" cultivar candidates (SM1, SM2, SM3) were created. In contrast to the registered cultivars, all the selected materials form a relatively small fruits and are able to fulfil the practicality requirement. The 1000 fruit mass of these new cultivars is about 3-4 g and more than 60% of their fruits can pass thorough a 2 mm size sieve. In addition, the essential oil accumulation level in the fruits of the new candidates is relatively high (6.1-7.6 ml/100 g) and the composition of the oil is in harmony with international standards. Registration of the three candidates, characterised by small seed size, was begun by the German Cultivar Registration Agency in 2002.