Effect of Organic and Bio-Fertilization on Fruit Yield, Bioactive Constituents, and Estragole Content in Fennel Fruits

Fennel fruits (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) represent one of the plant-based natural spices. This study aims to improve fruit yield and essential oil (EO) quality by reducing undesirable component, estragole, under different fertilizer treatments. The fertilizers included chemical nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium (NPK), also organic additive, rabbit manure (RM). For bio-fertilization, plants were inoculated with a mixture N-fixing bacteria, P- K-solubilizing bacteria with/without vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. results showed that EO parameters, total phenolic content (TPC), flavonoid (TFC), DPPH scavenging activity extracts enhanced treatments in both growing seasons. NPK at 150% recommended dose (NPK150) RM 60 m3/fed (RM60) recorded highest values plant height, umbel number/plant, 100-fruit weight, yield, chlorophyll, carbohydrates, N P content, yield. TPC TFC using biological fertilizers. was higher organically biologically fertilized fennel. GC-MS analyses revealed contents desirable trans-anethole chemically However, proportion compound, for NPK150 unfertilized plants. On contrary, increases fennel achieved along reduction enhancement trans-anethole, increments other favorable compounds such as fenchone limonene. In addition, inhibition estragole formation bio-fertilizers, which increased content. Furthermore, trans-anethole/estragole ratio significantly application bio-fertilization. Hence, bio-fertilizer resources can produce high-quality EO. use help reduce environmental pollution.