Protocols for Micropropagation of Woody Trees and Fruits

CHAPTER 19
ALBIZIA ODORATISSIMA L.F. (BENTH)
MICROPROPAGATION
V. RAJESWARI AND K. PALIWAL*
*Department of Plant Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Madurai
Kamaraj University, Madurai – 625 021, Tamil Nadu, India;
E-mail: kpecol@yahoo.com
1. INTRODUCTION
Albizia odoratissima commonly known as black siris is a multipurpose nitrogen fixing
tree species belonging to the Leguminosae family. The plant is native to the humid
tropical parts such as India, Bangladesh, China, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. It is a
large erect tree and attains a height of 22–26 m and diameter of 120–150 cm. It
occurs from sea level to 1500 m (Troup, 1921), and grows sporadically in both dry
and moist deciduous forest zones.
Albizia odoratissima is hermaphroditic and deciduous with a short leafless
period from December to February. Flowers are corymbs, pale yellowish white,
fragrant and generally appear from March to June. Fruits appear in early August and
start ripening at the end of October. In Northeast India and Bangladesh, it has been
extensively planted as a shade tree in tea and coffee plantations (Sana, 1989). The
shade extends the productive life of crop plants and increases annual yields. Sana
(1989) reported that Albizia odoratissima contributed 16 kg/ha of nitrogen from 655
kg dry weight of leaf litter and through this way it provides organic matter and soil
nutrients to the rhizosphere of understory plants. Tree canopies decrease soil
desiccation, and suppress weed growth and protect plants from hail and rainstorms.
Albizia odoratissima’s presence in the tea monoculture reduces incidence of tea
pests particularly red spider mites and scarlet mites.
The timber of Albizia odoratissima is hard, heavy and strong. Its heartwood is
brown with lighter and darker streaks. The wood could be used for making cabinet,
high-class heavy furniture, agricultural implements, carts and paneling. Albizia
odoratissima is one of the preferred native species for plantation programs because
of its greater adaptability to sites. Although native species are often slower growing
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S.M. Jain and H. Häggman (eds.), Protocols for Micropropagation of Woody Trees and Fruits, 201–211.
© 2007 Springer.