304 AJCS 5(3):304-310 (2011) ISSN:1835-2707 Genetic diversity evaluation of Cumin (Cumin cyminum L.) based on phenotypic characteristics Alireza Bahraminejad 1 , Ghasem Mohammadi-Nejad *2 , Mihdzar Abdul Khadir 3 1 Crop Science Department, Agricultural Faculty, University of Putra Malaysia, P.O.B. 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia 2 Horticultural Research Institute, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, P.O.B 76169-133-Iran 3 Department of Agriculture Technology, Agricultural Faculty, University Putra Malaysia, P.O.B. 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia *Corresponding author: Mohammadinejad@mail.uk.ac.ir Abstract In order to assess the genetic diversity of cumin and determine the traits effective on seed yield and cumin- aldehyde, forty nine cumin ecotypes which they are sub-populations belonged to nine populations from different provinces of Iran were evaluated based on morphological and biochemical traits. Results indicated a significant variation for all the measured traits among and within populations derived from different provinces. Kerman and Esfahan populations showed the best performance based on the phenotypic data, while Yazd had almost the lowest levels of traits. Correlation analysis showed number of seed per umbel and umbel per plant had highest relationship with seed yield. Path analysis also demonstrated that number of umbel per plant and number of seed per umbel had the most direct effects on seed yield and were identified as the most effective factors on seed yield. Cumin aldehyde was mostly correlated by number of umbel per plant. The present study showed that different qualitative characteristics such as seeds with light color and without trichome and leaves without trichome, alternate and large pods of Petiole tend to produce high seed yield. Pattern analysis of different populations based on first two main principal components categorized the measured genotypes in to three groups: Pars, Northern_Khorasan, Golestan, Semnan and Yazd (Group1), Southern_Khorasan and Khorasan_Razavi (Group2) Kerman and Esfahan (Group3), which the third group are high yielding genotypes with different genetic background can be advised for cultivation and breeding programs. So the available genetic diversity among the Iranian cumin populations can be lead to produce high yielding population of cumin. Keywords: Cumin; Genetic diversity; phenotypic assay. Introduction Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) a herbaceous, annual and medicinal which is one of the most important export crops for countries such as India , Iran and some other Asian countries (Kafie et al., 2002). Economic value of cumin is the numerous uses of the seeds as a drug and spicy for about a thousand years ago. It is regarded as part of food culture in West Asia, a predominant habitat of this plant. Therefore, trade and consumption of the crop is almost limited to natural areas that produce it (Avatar et al., 1991). The areas of production create numerous business opportunities because the planting operations of cumin require many human resources, thus create employment prospects in those regions. Cumin yield components include number of umbel per plant, number of seeds per umbel and 1000-seed weight. The number of umbel per plant explained alone about 96% of yield variation. (Amin Poor et al., 1995). Different regions of cumin adaptation can vary in terms of yield and genetic components due to variation in genetic characteristics and ecological influence. Therefore, geographical and genetic diversity play a related role in cumin characteristics (Jangir et al., 1996). Cumin is allogam due to its protandery nature (Sihag 2001). One significant advantage of cumin which was compared to other crops is its high harvest index; an increase in this index in terms of agronomy can increase production of other parameters in cumin (Kafie, 1992). Cumin aldehyde is a major merger in the composition of cumin essence with chemical formula C10H12O (Para Iso Propel Benzaldehyde, molecular weight of 148.13 g) and it constitutes 63% of the total essence (Guenther, 1975). Cumin aldehyde has a powerful dour and is used only in traces in compounding synthetic floral perfumes such as cassie (Agarwal et al.,2010).Plant genetic diversity is created over thousands of years in nature to remain stable. Masses of native plants are germplasem for appropriate eugenics programs. It is imperative that researchers tirelessly work and provide information on Gene banks collection, identification, and evaluation for the protection of gene pool and plant masses. Agriculture and food production also depends on the use of plant genotypes. Conventional methods based on selection of desirable genotypes have modified crops during the past