Seed propagation of Cinnamon

Ripe fruits are collected from selected mother trees with desir able characteristics of,

a. erect stems with smooth bark

b. vigorous growth

C. easiness of peeling the stem bark

d. free from pest and diseases

e. good quality characteristics; sweetness, pungency and flavour.

This can be judged by tasting the bark and / or petiole - " the bite test."

The collected fleshy berries are left in heaps for about 2-4 days in shade to soften and rot. The pulp is then removed and the seeds are washed and air dried. The over fermented and partially filled seeds should be removed and the cleaned seeds should be sown without much delay as the viability will be lost if stored over a longer period. The viability tests conducted using sand medium indicated that within three weeks, it losses germination to about 40% and by 5th week the germination is about 5% -10% and there is a complete loss of germination after 7th week. The prepared seeds could be sown in three different ways depending on the method of establishment.

a. Direct seeding in the field

This method of planting consists of digging holes of 0.3m. cube at a spacing of 1.2mxI.2m filling the same with top soil and sowing 15-20 seeds per hole. In this system there will be undue competition between seedlings emerged and also they take much longer time to cover up the field. Poor establishment was evident due to undue changes in environ­mental conditions.

b. Seed-bed or cinnamon ball method

The raised beds of Im width and to a convenient length are made with adequate provision for drainage. The beds are cultivated upto about 30- 40cm depth and soil is loosen to get very fine soil structure as it helps

the seed germination and root development. The planting holes of about 4cm diameter and to about 4-8cm depth are prepared at 10cmx20cm using a peg. These holes are then filled with some fine structured soil and sow7-10numberof seeds and just covered with a layer of soil. The beds may be watered daily. The beds have to be provided with artificial shade. Germination of seeds starts in about 20 days. The shade should continue until the plants are about 12cm in height and there after removed gradually. When the plants are of about 3-4 months old, weaker ones may be removed leaving three vigorous plants in a planting point. Plants are ready for planting out in the field in 8-10 months time. Before uprooting the plants, the beds should be thoroughly watered and remove the plants with some soil without damaging the root system and made good root ball. It would be an advantage if this ball is supported with thick mud slurry. These balls can be transported to the field for planting.

c. Raising seedlings in the polythene bags

The seed maybe sown in polythene bags of 10cmx20cm filled with good potting mixture containing equal parts of top soil and well rooted cow dung. Seeds at the rate of 5-7 per may be sown and 3 vigorous seedlings retained in each bag after thinking out the weak ones. Plants are ready for field planting after 8--10 months.

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