Fennel.

Abstract

Abstract Fennel is an ancient agricultural crop; the multiple uses of non-bulbiferous forms as aromatic herb, medicinal and ritual plants have been amply documented. The origin of the bulb-forming types, used as a vegetable, seems to date back to the 15th century, in the area of Florence. No world statistics report fennel production data separately for the different uses. Some reports also confuse seed with vegetable fennel, giving completely misleading data. This chapter describes the morphology, taxonomy, importance, growing areas, adaptation, development, biology, adapted varieties for year-round production, cropping system, main diseases, postharvest treatment and main uses of fennel.