Botanical Information

• Botanical Name: Cinnamomum verum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum
• Family: Lauraceae
• Common Names: Cinnamon
• Origin: Sri Lanka and the Malabar Coast of India
• Plant Part Used: Bark and Leaves

Uses

• Bark: The bark of cinnamon is the primary commercial product, used in spice and medicinal applications.
• Leaves: The leaves of cinnamon yield an essential oil, the main constituent of which is Eugenol, giving it a strong fragrance. The oil is used for flavoring, aromatherapy, and medicinal purposes.
• Oil: The oil extracted from the leaves has antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, often used in perfumes, soaps, and cosmetics.

Soil and Climate Requirements

• Soil Requirements:
  • Cinnamon thrives in well-drained, sandy loam soils that are rich in organic matter and humus content.
  • Red, dark brown soils that are free from rock or gravel are ideal for cinnamon cultivation.
  • Soil pH should ideally range from 5.5 to 6.5.
• Climate Requirements:
  • Cinnamon requires a hot, humid climate to grow well.
  • The plant thrives at an average temperature of 27°C.
  • Annual rainfall of about 2000–3000 mm is favorable for cinnamon growth.

Varieties of Cinnamon

1. Navashree: High and stable regeneration capacity (6-7 shoots/year). High yield.
2. Nithyashree: Another high-yielding variety, suitable for cultivation in Indian conditions.
3. Konkan Tej:Released by BSKVV Dapoli in 1992. Known for high volatile oil content in the bark (3.2%).
4. Sweet Cinnamon: Known for its sweet aroma and flavor.
5. Honey Cinnamon: A variety with a unique flavor profile.

Propagation Methods

• Seed Propagation:
  • Cinnamon is propagated by seed. The seeds are extracted from ripe fruits, washed free of pulp, and sown in sand beds or polythene bags.
  • Seeds germinate in 10–20 days, but they have low viability, so they must be planted soon after extraction.
• Cuttings: Semi-hardwood cuttings from mature plants can be used for propagation.
• Air Layering: Air layering is another common method for vegetative propagation, where branches are encouraged to root while still attached to the parent plant.

Planting and Spacing

• Planting Time: Cinnamon is typically planted during June–July, coinciding with the monsoon season for proper seedling establishment.
• Planting Method: Pits of 50 cm depth are dug, spaced at 3 m x 3 m. Each pit is filled with compost and topsoil before planting. One-year-old seedlings are transplanted into these pits.
• Shade Requirement: The plants benefit from partial shade during the initial years for healthy and rapid growth.

Manuring and Fertilization

• First Year: Apply 20 g of Nitrogen (N), 18 g of Phosphorus (P₂O₅), and 25 g of Potassium (K₂O) per seedling.
• After Three Years:
  • Apply 30 kg of FYM (Farm Yard Manure), 4 kg of neem cake, 150 g of Nitrogen, 75 g of Phosphorus, and 150 g of Potassium per plant.
  • Fertilizers are applied in two doses: once in September and again in March.

Training and Pruning

• Coppicing: When the seedlings reach 2-3 years old, the shoot is cut back to about 30 cm from the ground to encourage the growth of side shoots. This practice is called coppicing.
• Pruning: Prune dead, diseased, or overgrown shoots to maintain a healthy plant structure.

Harvesting

• Harvesting Time:
  • Cinnamon is harvested 2-3 years after planting.
  • The ideal harvesting period for cinnamon bark is from September to November.
• Harvesting Method:
  • The stems with a diameter of 2–3 cm and length of 1–1.25 m are cut close to the ground.
  • A “test cut” is made on the stem to check if the bark separates easily, signaling the right time for harvesting.
• Peeling the Bark:
  • Peeling is done with a small, round-edged knife. It should be done on the same day the stems are cut.
  • After peeling, the stems are earthened up with soil to promote the growth of new shoots.

Post-Harvest Handling

• Drying and Packaging:
  • The harvested bark is dried, cleaned, and bundled together for storage.
  • It should be carefully processed to maintain its quality, and the bark is made into quills.
• Oil Extraction:
  • Leaves yield oil, which is extracted through steam distillation. The yield of oil is about 1 to 1.25 kg of oil per ton of leaves.

Yield

• 3–4 Years After Planting: The yield of quills ranges from 62 to 125 kg per hectare.
• 10–11 Years After Planting: The yield increases to 225 to 300 kg of quills per hectare.
• Leaves: 1 ton of leaves per hectare yields approximately 1 to 1.25 kg of oil per year.