Seed source variation for leaf morphological traits of Cinnamomum zeylanicum in the central western ghats of Karnataka: Implications for Domestication

Abstract

Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Lauraceae)known as ‘true cinnamon’ or 'sweet wood', is a native species of Sri Lanka and the Indian West Coast. Cinnamon leaves are widely used as spice, and for the extraction of an essential oil rich in eugenol, which is a highly sought after by the perfume and flavour industries. The study was undertaken during 2017-19 at various field sites of Central Western Ghats of Karnataka to characterize the leaf morphology of cinnamon. About 106 mother trees were selected from five different sources and both qualitative and quantitative leaf traits were evaluated. Wide variation was recorded between trees and sources for leaf parameters. Higher coefficient of variation among different leaf traits was observed for leaf colour followed by leaf flush colour. Among the selected trees, ovate shaped leaves with sub acute type of leaf tip was dominantly recorded. Only two trees G2 and K2 recorded the purple colour petiole with sweet taste. The leaves of trees from Jaddigadde source were larger in size, while those from Kankodlu and Siddapur source showed smaller size. Leaf markers that could be adopted to easily measure the magnitude of diversity, to select higher yielding types as well as for conservation.