Protocols for Micropropagation of Woody Trees and Fruits

CHAPTER 21
MICROPROPAGATION OF CEDRELA FISSILIS VELL.
(MELIACEAE)
E.C. NUNES, W.L.S. LAUDANO, F.N. MORENO,
C.V. CASTILHO, P. MIOTO, F.L. SAMPAIO, J.H. BORTOLUZI 1 ,
1 1
E.E. BENSON, M.G. PIZOLATTI , E. CARASEK
AND A.M. VIANA*
Laboratório de Fisiologia Vegetal; Departamento de Botânica; Centro de Ciências
Biológicas; 1 Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Físicas e Matemáticas;
Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, 88040-900,
Florianópolis, SC, Brazil; *E-mail: amarna@mbox1.ufsc.br
1. INTRODUCTION
Cedrela fissilis Vellozo (Meliaceae) is a valuable fast growing timber tree species
native of the endangered Atlantic Forest (South Brasil). Its wood has excellent
multiple properties, which is used for the furniture, navy and construction industries.
This species has antimalarial, antibacterial and diuretic properties and is also used in
folk medicine in diarrhoea control and as a cicatrization agent (Carvalho, 1994).
Lago et al. (2004) studied the chemistry of the genus Cedrela that focused on the
isolation of limonoids chemical composition and antibacterial activities of volatile
oils from leaves and stem barks of C. fissilis. Aromatic oil with medicinal properties
is obtained from its distilled wood (Reitz et al., 1979).
Viana et al. (1999) reported that selective logging has depleted the most
valuable genotypes leading to the genetic erosion of Cedrela species in Brazil and
Central America. Like several members of the Meliaceae it is highly valuable
plantation species. The damage caused by shoot borers is the main constraint to its
large-scale utilization in reforestation programs and secondary metabolism studies
(Haines, 1994). It is attacked by Hypsipyla grandella Zeller (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae)
and Oncideres sp. (Cerambicydae) and a suitable method to control it is yet to
be found. Therefore alternative methods including silviculture control and tree
improvement programs have been considered by Maruyama et al. (1989).
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S.M. Jain and H. Häggman (eds.), Protocols for Micropropagation of Woody Trees and Fruits, 221–235.
© 2007 Springer.