2 KINO PLANT
(Pterocarpus Marsupium)
2.1 introduction
2.1.1 Taxonomic position
Order Fabale
Family Fabaceae
Subfamily Faboideae
Tribe Dalbergieae
Genus Pterocarpus
Species P. marsupium
Pterocarpus is represented by 66 species globally that have high
economic, medicinal and traditional value. Indian kino tree
(Pterocarpus marsupium), also known as Malabar kino or bijasal, is
highly valued as a timber tree and for its pharmaceutically important
gum kino .
2.1.2 Names
English - Indian Malabar Kino, Indian Kino, Gummy Kino
Hindi - Bija, Bijasal,
Sanskrit - Pitasala, Asana, Sarfaka,
Telugu - Paiddagi Chekka
Marathi - Biyala lakda,
Tamil - Vegaimaram chakkal
It is a native plant of India, Nepal and Sri Lanka . P. marsupium is
distributed in central, western and southern regions of India (Andhra
Pradesh, Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh,
-1-
,Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West
Bengal). The Indian kino tree is listed in the IUCN red data list as a
direct result of the excessive exploitation of its wood. Biotechnology
has provided feasible and effective solutions for the tissue culture and
mass micropropagation of P. marsupium, thus serving as a means to
conserve important germplasm. The synthesis of information in this
review aims to stimulate further research on P. marsupium. Breeding
and biotechnological programmes that mass produce and effectively
manage P. marsupium germplasm in vitro are required, using synthetic
seed technology, cryopreservation and in situ conservation to manage
this important wood germplasm. Molecular markers have been used to
a limited extent to confirm the genetic stability of in vitro-propagated
material. Biotechnological advances for this leguminous tree of
commercial importance would benefit from research involving
photoautotrophic micropropagation for improved rooting, bioreactors
for the production of somatic embryos.
2.1.3 General description: Plant morphology and
Phenology
P. marsupium is a moderate to large sized deciduous tree with
spreading branches, producing a straight clean bole. Bark is about 1.25
cm thick, grey, rough, longitudinally fissured in small irregular
scales, blaze pink with whitish markings and older trees exuding a
blood red astringent gum resin. Leaves are imparipinnate, 17.5-22.5 cm
long, usually leaflets 5-7, oblong and coriaceous. The tree is nearly
evergreen or leafless for a short time in the hot season in April-May the
new leaves appear in May-June. The panicles of fragrant yellow
flowers appear from June to September. The pods are light yellowish
-2-
, brown, nearly orbicular, 2.5-5 cm diameter, flat, winged containing 1-
2 seeds, convex and bony, seeds are dolabriform, 1-1.25 cm long,
reddish brown, fairly hard, with a smooth leathery testa.
Under favourable conditions the tree attains a height of 33 m and a girth
of 2.6 m or more. Wood is hard and durable. The sap wood is pale
yellowish white or white, narrow, heart wood is golden yellowish
brown with darker streaks, staining yellow when damp and turning
darker on exposure, broadly inter locked grained, medium coarse
textured, strong, tough, very hard and moderately heavy.
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(Pterocarpus Marsupium)
2.1 introduction
2.1.1 Taxonomic position
Order Fabale
Family Fabaceae
Subfamily Faboideae
Tribe Dalbergieae
Genus Pterocarpus
Species P. marsupium
Pterocarpus is represented by 66 species globally that have high
economic, medicinal and traditional value. Indian kino tree
(Pterocarpus marsupium), also known as Malabar kino or bijasal, is
highly valued as a timber tree and for its pharmaceutically important
gum kino .
2.1.2 Names
English - Indian Malabar Kino, Indian Kino, Gummy Kino
Hindi - Bija, Bijasal,
Sanskrit - Pitasala, Asana, Sarfaka,
Telugu - Paiddagi Chekka
Marathi - Biyala lakda,
Tamil - Vegaimaram chakkal
It is a native plant of India, Nepal and Sri Lanka . P. marsupium is
distributed in central, western and southern regions of India (Andhra
Pradesh, Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh,
-1-
,Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West
Bengal). The Indian kino tree is listed in the IUCN red data list as a
direct result of the excessive exploitation of its wood. Biotechnology
has provided feasible and effective solutions for the tissue culture and
mass micropropagation of P. marsupium, thus serving as a means to
conserve important germplasm. The synthesis of information in this
review aims to stimulate further research on P. marsupium. Breeding
and biotechnological programmes that mass produce and effectively
manage P. marsupium germplasm in vitro are required, using synthetic
seed technology, cryopreservation and in situ conservation to manage
this important wood germplasm. Molecular markers have been used to
a limited extent to confirm the genetic stability of in vitro-propagated
material. Biotechnological advances for this leguminous tree of
commercial importance would benefit from research involving
photoautotrophic micropropagation for improved rooting, bioreactors
for the production of somatic embryos.
2.1.3 General description: Plant morphology and
Phenology
P. marsupium is a moderate to large sized deciduous tree with
spreading branches, producing a straight clean bole. Bark is about 1.25
cm thick, grey, rough, longitudinally fissured in small irregular
scales, blaze pink with whitish markings and older trees exuding a
blood red astringent gum resin. Leaves are imparipinnate, 17.5-22.5 cm
long, usually leaflets 5-7, oblong and coriaceous. The tree is nearly
evergreen or leafless for a short time in the hot season in April-May the
new leaves appear in May-June. The panicles of fragrant yellow
flowers appear from June to September. The pods are light yellowish
-2-
, brown, nearly orbicular, 2.5-5 cm diameter, flat, winged containing 1-
2 seeds, convex and bony, seeds are dolabriform, 1-1.25 cm long,
reddish brown, fairly hard, with a smooth leathery testa.
Under favourable conditions the tree attains a height of 33 m and a girth
of 2.6 m or more. Wood is hard and durable. The sap wood is pale
yellowish white or white, narrow, heart wood is golden yellowish
brown with darker streaks, staining yellow when damp and turning
darker on exposure, broadly inter locked grained, medium coarse
textured, strong, tough, very hard and moderately heavy.
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