Abstract:
Cinnamon is a native spices which provides a major contribution to the Sri Lankan economy. Commercially important product from cinnamon plant is the dried bark of stems. However, cinnamon plants show a seasonal variation in the peelability and hence interrupts the continuous harvesting of cinnamon. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to get the perception of workers in the cinnamon industry on the seasonal variations in the peelability and its consequences. A survey based on a questionnaire was carried out using 50 individuals selected randomly from among people who are engaged in cinnamon industry in different areas,. where cinnamon is a staple economic crop. A higher percentage (73%) of the respondents stated that newly cultivated plants reach the maturity stage suitable for first peeling, approximately after 3 years. According to respondents, there is no particular season of the year for leaf flushing and it takes place whenever rain commences after a dry period. The young leaves are red in color initially and then converted to yellow and greenish yellow, reaching a green color at the maturity. All (100%) the respondents stated that peeling of cinnamon is difficult during the flushing with red or yellow leaves, which diminish gradually with the maturity of leaves. Furthermore, all the respondents verified that the peeling of cinnamon becomes difficult once again during the flowering and fruiting periods; which also diminish with the maturity of fruits. In other words, there is no difficulty in peeling of cinnamon during the periods, without leaf flushing, flowering, and appearance of young fruits. The above information should be checked through a phenological survery incorperated with peelability measurements and if verified, the anatomical differences of cinnamon stems during the relevant stages also should be studied.
