The genus Cinnamomum

64 P.N. Ravindran et al.
Figure 2.21 Somatic embryogenesis in Cinnamomum verum.
When young seeds are inoculated on WPM supplemented with 0.5 mg/l kinetin,
about 20–30% cultures showed production of somatic embryos as well as embryogenic
calli from cotyledonary axis. Somatic embryos mature in the same medium and about
5% of them develop into plantlets (Fig. 2.21) (Mathai et al., 1997). Sheeja et al. (2000)
reported micropropagation from nodal explants of cinnamon in WPM supplemented
with benzyl adenine (2 mg/l) and kinetin (0.5 mg/l), followed by multiple shoot induction
in WPM supplemented with BA (3 mg/l) and kinetin (1 mg/l). The excised
healthy shoots were given a pulse treatment of IBA (3000 ppm) for 15 seconds and then
cultured in WPM containing IAA (0.5 mg/l) and IBA (0.5 mg/l) for rooting. Nirmal
Babu et al. (1997) have provided the protocol for micoporpagation of cinnamon from
mature trees.
Micropropagation protocols for C. camphora were developed by Huang et al.
(1998) and Nirmal Babu et al. (1997). Nirmal Babu et al. (1997) got multiple
shoots from shoot tips and nodal explants of camphor tree on Woody Plant Medium
(WPM) supplemented with BAP and kinetin. Nodal segments developed from
shoots in vitro could be induced to produce a large number of harvestable shoots in the
same medium. Harvested shoots are rooted in vitro in WPM supplemented with
activated charcoal and IBA. Plantlets are subsequently hardened and planted out in
the nursery with 90% survival rate. Huang et al. (1998) have evolved a protocol for
camphor micropropagation. They used MS medium supplemented with different
concentrations of BA and thidiazuron (TDZ). They also used NAA for rooting
and a commercial formulation (EM 2) for the prevention of hyperhydracity. BA
stimulated shoot formation and callus development, whereas TDZ promoted only
callus development. Rooting of shoots occurred best when supplemented with
0.5 M NAA. Micropropagation of C. cassia was also reported by Nirmal Babu et al.
(1997).