RESEARCH ON SELECTION OF SELECTING PLUS TREE OF Cinnamomum cassia IN BAC KAN PROVINCES

Abstract

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia Presl.) is a high-value species that brings significant economic benefits to the communities in some districts in Bac Kan province. However, there is currently no selected and certified Cinnamon variety and there is no report on the productivity, quality, and essential oil content in the bark compared to other cinnamon-growing regions. Therefore, it is crucial in selection of plus trees with high bark productivity and essential oil content. The results of plus trees selection in Cho Don, Cho Moi, and Bac Kan City have identified 123 trees aged between 11 and 30 years. These trees showed superior growth compared to trees in the surrounding population, with a diameter at breast height exceeding 25.3 - 114.1%, 9.8 - 22.4% in height and 50.5 - 296.7% in bark productivity. The selected trees have straight trunks, smooth bark, large canopy, thick branches, and have already produced flowers and fruits. The content and quality of the essential oil in the bark and branches of the selected trees in Bac Kan are equivalent to those in the cinnamon varieties that are currently exploited in Yen Bai and Lao Cai provinces. The essential oil content ranges from 2.5% to 6.5% compared to 2.5% to 4.2% in Yen Bai - Lao Cai's varieties. The specific gravity, and refractive index of the essential oil ranges from 1.037 to 1.044 and 1.594 to 1.605, respectively which is higher than those in Yen Bai - Lao Cai's varieties. The optical rotation of the essential oil in Bac Kan plus trees ranges from -0.96 to -0.48, higher than in Yen Bai - Lao Cai's varieties which range from -0.97 to 0.00. The content of trans-cinnamaldehyde is from 83.95% to 92.10% compared to 88.84% to 91.35% in Yen Bai - Lao Cai's varieties. The content of coumarin in the essential oil ranges from 0.65% to 1.58%, which is lower than the maximum limit of 4% regulated by TCVN 6029:2008.