ODC-130 (Sugandhini ): A eugenol-rich high leaf oil yielding cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum Presl.) variety P.P. Joy, J. Thomas, Samuel Mathew and Baby P. Skaria Kerala Agricultural University, Aromatic and Medicinal Plants Research Station Odakkali, Asamannoor-683 549, Ernakulam, Kerala, India.
Cinnamon is an evergreen bushy tree of Lauraceae whose bark and leaves are strongly aromatic. In addition to its culinary uses in Asian and European recipes, it has important applications in medicine. Two types of volatile oils are commercially extracted from cinnamon: bark oil and leaf oil. Bark oil is primarily used in flavouring and leaf oil in perfumery. Leaf oil is a rich source of eugenol. The other constituents of the oil are cinnamic aldehyde, benzaldehyde, pinene, phellandrene, dipentene, safrole, methyl eugenol, borneol, geraniol, caryophyllene, terpineol, linalool, cinnamyl alcohol and traces of over 15 compounds. Wide variability of the plant occurs in Western Ghats and in some parts of Assam and north eastern states. It is largely cultivated in the state of Kerala. Much of the research and development were carried out considering it as a tree spice for its quills. Little importance was given to leaf oil. On account of the industrial potential of cinnamon leaf oil, a eugenol-rich high leaf oil yielding variety has been evolved by the Kerala Agricultural University at the Aromatic and medicinal Plants Research Station, Odakkali to meet the requirements of essential oil industry for flavouring and fragrance purposes. The elite accession ODC-130, named as Sugandhini, gave an annual leaf yield of 18 kg/tree, oil yield of 295 ml/tree with a eugenol content of 94%. It is recommended for large scale cultivation in the midlands of Kerala both in open and as intercrop in coconut plantations for the production of cinnamon leaf oil. The crop thrives well from 300-350m and grows up to 1000m above MSL. It flourishes in places with an annual rainfall of 1500-2500mm and an average temperature of 27oC. A hot moist climate is suited for cinnamon cultivation. The plant is propagated vegetatively by rooted cuttings of young 3-leaved shoots, division of old root stocks, air-layering and by tissue culture for obtaining true to type progeny. Growth regulators like NAA or IBA can be used for inducing rooting. The propagule is planted in pits dug at 3-4m spacing. Under rainfed conditions, planting during June-July is ideal. Shading and irrigation are essential till establishment. During the first year, the plant may be supplied with 20 kg cattle manure or compost and 20:20:25 g N, P 2O5 and K2O per annum which is gradually increased to 50kg cattle manure and 200:180:200 g N, P 2O5 and K2O for grown up plants of 6 years or more. Fertilizers may be applied in two equal splits during June-July and Oct.-Nov. For first two years 3 - 4 weeding/year are required. Thereafter, two weeding in a year during June - July and Oct.- Nov. are sufficient. Side shoots growing from the base of the plant are cut to encourage growth of more side shoots till the whole plant assumes the shape of a bush. For the extraction of leaf oil, the leaves and tender twigs are harvested in May and November. Wilting of the harvested leaves in shade for 24 hours reduces the bulk and increases oil recovery. Steam distillation for 4-6 hours gives an oil recovery of 0.8 to 1.0% generally on a commercial scale. Leaf oil is heavier than water, yellow to yellowish brown in colour with a slight camphoraceous odour resembling that of clove oil.
