Micropropagation of Cedrela fissilis Vell. (Meliaceae)

Cedrela fissilis Vellozo (Meliaceae) is a valuable fast growing timber tree species native of the endangered Atlantic Forest (South Brasil). Its wood has excellent multiple properties, which is used for the furniture, navy and construction industries. This species has antimalarial, antibacterial and diuretic properties and is also used in folk medicine in diarrhoea control and as a cicatrization agent (Carvalho, 1994). Lago et al. (2004) studied the chemistry of the genus Cedrela that focused on the isolation of limonoids chemical composition and antibacterial activities of volatile oils from leaves and stem barks of C. fissilis. Aromatic oil with medicinal properties is obtained from its distilled wood (Reitz et al., 1979). Viana et al. (1999) reported that selective logging has depleted the most valuable genotypes leading to the genetic erosion of Cedrela species in Brazil and Central America. Like several members of the Meliaceae it is highly valuable plantation species. The damage caused by shoot borers is the main constraint to its large-scale utilization in reforestation programs and secondary metabolism studies (Haines, 1994). It is attacked by Hypsipyla grandella Zeller (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) and Oncideres sp. (Cerambicydae) and a suitable method to control it is yet to be found. Therefore alternative methods including silviculture control and tree improvement programs have been considered by Maruyama et al. (1989).