Dharani, B creator Vikram, H C (Guide) text Vellanikkara Department of plantation, spices, medicinal and aromatic crops , college of agriculture 2023 monographic xii,105p. Cinnamon commonly referred to as sweet wood or dalchini is one of the earliest recognized spices which is cultivated primarily for its dried inner bark. It is indigenous to tropical regions and naturally thriving in Sri Lanka and the southern coastal areas of Indian subcontinent and belonging to the Lauraceae family. This versatile spice is extensively employed as a flavour enhancer including cakes, sweets, incense, toothpaste, and perfumes etc. It is an evergreen perennial spice commonly propagated through seeds. The cinnamon seeds cannot endure desiccation, so they must be planted promptly after being extracted from the fruit. Many of the cinnamon plantations are of seedling origin, exhibiting natural variability. Vegetative propagation techniques will pave the way to develop true-to-type progenies and helpful in conservation of genotypes. Hence, the present study entitled “Vegetative propagation through cuttings and air layering in cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum Presl.)” was carried out in the Department of Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops during 2022-2023 which comprises of three experiments viz., standardization of propagation by cuttings, standardization of growing media for cuttings and standardization of air layering. In the first experiment, the propagation by cuttings was evaluated. For softwood cuttings, the minimum number of days for sprouting was observed in IAA at 300 ppm (11.00 days). The shoot length was not significantly affected by different growth regulators. The number of leaves produced was significantly superior at 120 DAP in IBA 100 ppm with 6.91 leaves planted during monsoon season (first fortnight of June). Whereas, IAA at 100 ppm recorded the maximum leaf area (5.80 cm²) in 120 DAP. The cuttings planted during the first fortnight of June with IAA at 300 ppm induced the maximum number of sprouts (2.63). The maximum root length (7.15 cm) and volume (1.95 cm3) was recorded in IBA 100 ppm treated cuttings during post monsoon season (first fortnight of November). With respect to sprouting percentage at 120 DAP, IBA 100 ppm was significantly superior (55.00 %) compared to other treatments. Cuttings planted during monsoon season (first fortnight of June) with IBA 200 ppm recorded the maximum survival percentage (52.50 %) followed by IBA 300 ppm (42.50 %) in 90 DAP (First fortnight of September and February). With respect to semi-hardwood cuttings, those treated with IBA at 400 ppm recorded a minimum sprouting duration of 6.75 days. The highest shoot length, reaching 4.31 cm, was observed in IAA at 600 ppm at the end of 120 DAP (first fortnight of October and March). The maximum number of leaves (6.11) was noted in IAA at 400 ppm during monsoon season (first fortnight of June) at 120 DAP. In terms of leaf area, cuttings planted during monsoon season with IBA at 600 ppm showed superiority, recording a maximum of 7.88 cm2. At 90 DAP, the highest number of sprouts (2.62) was recorded in the monsoon season. Semi-hardwood cuttings treated with IBA at 800 ppm produced maximum root length of 5.46 cm and a volume of 1.43 cm3 during post-monsoon season (first fortnight of November). The highest sprouting percentage (67.50%) was recorded with IBA at 600 ppm in 60 DAP. Additionally, IBA at 800 ppm exhibited the maximum survival percentage of 32.50. The hardwood cuttings planted during the monsoon season (first fortnight of June) had shortest duration for sprouting, taking 10.29 days. The maximum shoot length was observed in IBA at 2000 ppm, reaching 8.46 cm. The maximum number of leaves (6.56 leaves) was also recorded in IBA at 2000 ppm, whereas cuttings treated with IBA at 1000 ppm had the maximum leaf area (5.30 cm2). Compared to post monsoon season, the highest number of sprouts (2.20) was recorded during the monsoon season. Cuttings treated with IBA at 1000 ppm during the monsoon season exhibited maximum sprouting percentage (82.50%) and maximum survival percentage of 21.25%. In the histological studies, it was observed that semi-hardwood cuttings had a lower xylem frequency compared to softwood cuttings. In the second experiment, semi-hardwood cuttings planted during the rainy season using different growing media were evaluated. The coir pith used for planting had an ideal pH of 6.8 and an electrical conductivity (EC) of 0.15 d S/m. Coir pith + FYM + VAM recorded the shortest sprouting duration, taking only 6.75 days. At 120 DAP (first fortnight f October), Coir pith + FYM + Trichoderma viride recorded the maximum shoot length (2.12 cm). The maximum number of leaves was recorded in the control (Sand + Soil + FYM) with 6.13 leaves. Coir pith + FYM + Trichoderma viride resulted in the maximum leaf area (4.78 cm2), whereas Coir pith + FYM + VAM had an area of 4.71 cm2. Coir pith + Vermicompost was found to be significantly superior, with a sprouting percentage of 36.25. No significant differences were observed with respect to survival percentage and number of sprouts produced from the cinnamon cuttings in all the growing media. Due to the lack of rooting, root length, and volume were not recorded in all growing media. In the third experiment, the performance of air layering at different time intervals was examined. The maximum root length (5.41 cm), number of adventitious roots (5.26) and root volume (2.86 cm3) were found to be significantly superior in June-July month compared to other months. The number of days taken for separation was recorded minimum in June-July (66.00 days) and maximum in August-September (68.57 days). The shoots layered during June-July and August-September resulted maximum rooting success (61.43 % and 57.14 %) respectively. At the same time October- November air layered shoots had formed no roots. The present study revealed that monsoon season is the best period for cinnamon vegetative propagation. Among softwood, semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings, it is recommended to use semi-hardwood cuttings with IBA 800 ppm for planting due to their higher survival percentage. The suitable growing media for semi-hardwood cuttings was a combination of coir pith, FYM (Farm Yard Manure), and VAM (Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza). Air layered during June-July recorded maximum survival percentage (82.50 %) and minimum in August-September (75.00%). When comparing the both vegetative propagation methods, air layering is the most ideal method of propagation in cinnamon with respect to the ease of doing and the resources required and higher success percentage. Hence, air layering is the most ideal propagation method which can be commercially practised in the months of June- July and August- September under humid tropical conditions of Kerala. MSc Standardization of propagation by cutting Maturity of shoots on rooting of cutting Growth regulators on rooting of cutting Nursery media for cutting Air layering 633.8 DHA/VE PG https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810224607 https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810224607