Air layering for cloning elite genotypes of Kadamb, Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser

Sanjay Singh

Botany, Silviculture and NWFP Division

Institute of Forest Productivity

Aranyodaya, NH-23, Lalgutwa, Ranchi- 835303, Jharkhand, India

E-mail: sanjaysingh@lycos.com; sanjaysingh@icfre.org

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How to cite this article
Singh, Sanjay. 2013. Air layering for cloning elite genotypes of Kadamb, (Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser. Indian Botanists Blog-o-Journal. http://www.indianbotanists.com/2013/09/air-layering-for-cloning-elite.html

Figure 1: Flower of Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser

Photo Courtesy: Geetanjali Singh

    Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser (Synonym: Anthocephalus chinensis (Lam.) Rich. ex Walp. or Anthocephalus cadamba (Roxb.) Miq.)¹, commonly known as Kadam belongs to family Rubiaceae. A large tree with spreading branches, with oblong or ovate leaves, 8”-10” long and 5”-6” broad. Flowers small epi-gynous, orange coloured, sweet scented in dense globose head (Figure 1). Stigma exerted white in colour. The globose floral head matures to form fruit, which is green when young and turns orange when ripe. The ripe fruits are edible for humans, birds, rodents, primates, bats, cattle and wild animals.
   A process for cloning elite genotypes of Kadamb (Neolamarckia cadamba) by air layering is developed. The other methods for cloning of Kadamb have proven to be comparatively difficult². The air layering procedure involves in situ production of adventitious roots on girdled tree-shoots, which are subsequently detached and planted outside.
    Air layering was successfully done in ten mature trees (10-15 years old) during July-August employing a combination of 500 ppm indole-3-butyric acid and 500 ppm thiamine- HCl which was administered on the girdled area with the help of cotton before covering with soilrite and black polythene sheet³. After 45 days significant effect of the treatment was observed as the treated air layers recorded >80% root induction (Figure 2). Air layering procedure so developed have higher survival rates and faster rooting which appeared to be a viable option for clonal propagation of desired elite material of Neolamarckia cadamba.

Figure 2: Air-layers on Neolamarckia cadamba tree (a ); air-layers detached after 45 days (b ); difference in rhizogenesis in untreated to treated condition(c ); profuse rooting in treated air-layer (d ) and closer view of rooted air layer (e ).

  The process is simple, economical and space saving as no specific cloning area, controlled environmental conditions or intermittent misting is required. So far, it appears that this method is the best cloning method for Kadamb. Thus, the technology has element of both productivity enhancement and economic benefit.
   This new method of cloning of Kadamb can address livelihood issues and generate additional income through mass multiplication of superior germplasm of Kadamb which is a fast growing tree suitable for plantation forestry in eastern India for pulp and paper industry.

References
1. Bosser, J. 1984. Bulletin du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Section B, Adansonia. Botanique Phytochimie 6(3): 247.

2. Haque M.I., Sarkar R.H., Haque M.M. and Islam A.S. (1991). In vitro multiple shoot regeneration in Anthocephalus indica L.. Bangladesh J. Bot. , 20 , 193-197

3. Misra KK and Jaiswal HR. 1995. Effect of indole butyric acid on the rooting and survival of air layers on some agroforestry tree species. Indian Journal of Forestry. 18(1): 95-96.