The genus Cinnamomum

Botany and Crop Improvement of Cinnamon and Cassia 63
1000, 2000 ppm. Much genotypic variability was noted in the rooting response (IISR,
1996; Rema et al., 1997). Air layering was also successful and 88% and 50% rooting
have been reported during July and November, respectively (Krishnamoorthy and
Rema, 1994).
Micropropagation of cinnamon and cassia
Micropropagation is useful for clonal multiplication of selected elite lines of cinnamon
to augment the conventional vegetative propagation methods. It is also helpful to
circumvent seedling variability. The recent status of cinnamon micropropagation has
been reviewed by Nirmal Babu et al. (2000). Rai and Jagdishchandra (1987) obtained
production of multiple shoots using seedling explants. The protocol developed by these
workers started with seeds. Multiple shoots were induced from seeds on MS medium
supplemented with Benzyladenine (BA) or kinetin. The shoots were multiplied by
subculturing hypocotyl and internode segments on a second medium supplemented
with BA or kinetin in combination with NAA. The in vitro generated shoots were
rooted in Whites solution containing a combination of IAA, IBA and IPA. Successful
micropropagation of Chinese cassia was reported by Inomoto and Kitani (1989) who
used nodal explants from seedlings and MS medium containing low concentrations of
BA and NAA, transferring the explants to medium containing BA alone, for shoot
elongation. The elongated shoots were rooted in a third medium supplemented with
only NAA. Mathai et al. (1997) reported the production of multiple shoots from mature
tree explants of cinnamon. They found that MS medium or WP medium fortified with
0.5 mg/l kinetin and 2% sucrose was ideal for the initial establishment of the cultures.
This initial establishment was followed by transferring the culture to WPM supplemented
with 3 mg/l BAP and 1 mg/l kinetin (Fig. 2.20). The regenerated shoots were
transferred to WPM supplemented with NAA, IBA and activated charcoal for rooting.
WPM medium supplemented with 2 mg/l activated charcoal and without any growth
regulators was reported to be the best for rooting (Mathai et al., 1997). The addition of
auxins induced callus formation.
Figure 2.20 Micropropagation in Cinnamomum verum.