| Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is a medicinal plant with potential applications in the natural health product industry. In a multi-environmental setting, 10 genotypes were tested across 14 growing environments (using a Randomized Complete Block Design), representing irrigated and miffed growing conditions in southern Alberta, Canada over two cropping years (2006 and 2007). The objectives of this study were (1) to determine seed yield, plus content and productivity of selected bioactive compounds (galactomannan, diosgenin and 4-hydroxyisoleucine), (2) to assess the impact of growing environment on these variables and (3) to identify promising genotypes for breeding and industrial use. Using principal component and cluster analyses, the study provides insight on the relative influence of growing environments and genes on the biochemical and agronomical traits as well as identifies genotypes based on performance and stability. These are useful as parental materials in cultivar development for the Canadian natural health product industry. |
