assessment of genetic variation in different stachys lavandulifolia accessions using morphological and essential oil content

In order to assess the genetic variation in Stachys accessions, an experiment was carried out in randomized block design with three replicates on 41 accessions including Ferydoonshahr (1), Damaneh (21), Gavkhoft (15), Semirom (4). According to analysis of variance significant differences were observed among all studied traits but not significant differences were observed among replications. Damaneh 20 had the highest amount of essential oil (3.37 %) and Damaneh 17 possessed the lowest essential oil content (0.092 %). According to factor analysis, the first factor explained 26 % of variation. Wet weight, plant height and number of floret showed the highest values in this factor. Number of leaves in main branch and number of leaves in lateral branch had the highest value in the second Eigen. Cluster analysis classified 41 accessions in five major groups and they revealed high differences in wet weight, dry weight, day to flowering, days to fruit set, number of floret and essential oil yield. Finally, it would be possible to cross the elite genotypes from different clusters and select the best ones in order to introduce new cultivars with appreciable agronomic traits and the highest essential oil yield.