The possibility of growing winter crops in the face of global warming; variation in seed yield and phytochemistry of selected fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) genotypes

Abstract

In this study, 5 fenugreek genotypes and one cultivar were grown under winter and summer conditions to determine their morphological, seed yield, quality, and bioactive properties. Significant differences in morphological traits, seed yield, quality, and bioactive properties were observed among fenugreek genotypes and a cultivar grown under winter and summer conditions. The PI 426973 and PI 617076 genotypes stood out in terms of seed yield in both winter and summer conditions in both experimental years. The highest diosgenin content was found in the PI 617076 and PI 660995 genotypes under winter conditions, and the PI 426973 genotype had the highest diosgenin content under summer conditions in both experimental years. For both winter and summer conditions, the genotype with the highest trigonelline content was the PI 426971. The PI 426973 genotype and the Gürarslan cultivar had the highest total flavonoid contents under winter conditions, while the PI 660995, PI 568215, and PI 617076 genotypes had the highest total flavonoid contents under summer conditions. The PI 426971, PI 617076 genotypes and the Gürarslan cultivar were found to have high antioxidant values and total phenolic content under both winter and summer conditions. The principal component analysis (PCA) explained high variation over 70% in first two components (PC1 and PC2). Principal component analysis indicated that PC1 was primarily associated with 50% seedling days, 50% flowering days, seed yield, and thousand-seed weight. The cluster analysis divided into two main groups of the fenugreek cultivar and genotypes depending on the growing conditions. In addition, the genotypes PI 568215 and PI 617076 were found together in the same main and subgroups. In conclusion, the genotypes PI 426971 and PI 426973, originating from Pakistan, can be selected to using for the fenugreek breeding to obtain high values for the many of the examined properties.