Effect of Retention of Branches on Bark Yield in Cinnamon

Abstract

Investigation was carried out to find out effect of retention of branches on bark yield of cinnamon at experimental farm, Regional Coconut Research Station, Bhatye, Ratnagiri during the year 2011-12 and 2012-13 on variety 'Konkan Tej'. Seven treatments after coppicing of cinnamon trees were exposed on experimental plants viz. T₁ - retention of one sprouted branch, T₂ - retention of two sprouted branches, T₃ - retention of three sprouted branches, T₄ - retention of four sprouted branches, T₅ - retention of five sprouted branches, T₆ - retention of six sprouted branches and T₇ - retention of all sprouted branches as control. It was observed that total length of coppiced branches, length of peelable shoot, girth of coppiced branch at bottom and dry weight of bark, differed significantly among the treatments in both the years. Significantly maximum dry weight of bark 210 g and 260 g per plant were recorded in year 2012 and 2013 respectively in treatment T₅ - retention of five sprouted branches. The study indicate that five sprouted branches could be retained to obtain maximum yield of cinnamon bark.