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Saunf (Fennel)RabiOpen-pollinatedUpdated 1 September 2026

PF-35

Released 1973, the earliest fennel variety on this list and the foundational line Co-1 was later reselected from — still grown, and historically important to Indian fennel breeding.

SeasonRabi
Maturity period160–180 days
Expected yieldMedium
Suitable soilLoam

Quick facts

Crop
Saunf (Fennel)
Type
Open-pollinated
Season
Rabi
Maturity period
160–180 days
Seed rate
10–12 kg/ha for direct sowing
Expected yield
Medium
Suitable soil
Loam
Release
Released 1973

About this variety

PF-35 is the earliest fennel variety covered on this site, released in 1973, and it holds a historically important place in Indian fennel breeding as the line Tamil Nadu Agricultural University later reselected to produce Co-1. It matures in roughly 160 to 180 days and offers medium yield without any disease resistance specifically bred in, since it predates the targeted Ramularia blight and powdery mildew screening behind newer releases like RF-101, AF-2 and AF-3. It remains grown today, mainly as an older, dependable option in longer-established fennel tracts.

Key characteristics

    Plant typeOpen-pollinated
    Maturity160–180 days
    Yield potentialMedium
    Disease resistanceNot specifically bred for disease resistance
    SoilLoam
    SeasonRabi

Sowing & cultivation

  • Sowing timeMid-September to mid-October
  • Seed rate10–12 kg/ha for direct sowing
  • Spacing45–60 cm between rows

Soil & climate

Soil

Suitable soil
Well-drained loam

Yield & maturity

Maturity period

160–180 days

Expected yield

Medium

Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.

Pest & disease considerations

Major diseases

  • Not specifically bred for disease resistance

Advantages & considerations

Why farmers may choose it

  • A long-established, well-understood variety with a multi-decade grower track record.

Things to consider

  • No specific disease resistance bred in — on a field with any Ramularia blight or powdery mildew history, a newer resistant release such as RF-101, AF-2 or AF-3 is the safer choice.

Suitable regions

States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.

  • Tamil Nadu

Sourced from: Improved fennel varieties/cultivars released in India. editorial policy.