INDIAN KINO TREE (PTEROCARPUS MARSUPIUM ROXB.): BIOGRAPHY OF EXCELLENT TIMBER TREE SPECIES

Abstract

Excellent timber tree species, Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. (Fabaceae) is popularly known as Indian Kino Tree and ranks next to teak and rosewood in peninsular India. Kino is a moderate to large sized deciduous tree found at elevations from 200 to 500 m. This wood is often compared with teak and has been paid less attention for extensive cultivation and the native stands are fast disappearing, though little known to the world's foresters and virtually untried in plantations. Parts of the plant (heart wood, leaves, bark and flowers) have long been used for their medicinal properties in Ayurveda. The bark is used for the treatment of stomachache, cholera, dysentery, urinary complaints, tongue diseases and toothache. The gum exude 'kino', derived from this tree, is used as an astringent. The flowers are bitter, improve the appetite and cause flatulence. P. marsupium has a long history of use in India as a treatment for diabetes. This species in the Near Threatened category, should have to be conserve and used in sustainable way for further depletion.

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MFP NEWS, VOL. XXIX, NO. 1, 2019
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INDIAN KINO TREE (PTEROCARPUS MARSUPIUM ROXB.): BIOGRAPHY OF
EXCELLENT TIMBER TREE SPECIES
Madhuri Sukhadiya, Chintan Dholariya, L. K. Behera*, A. A. Mehta, S. A. Huse and R. P. Gunaga
College of Forestry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari- 396 450
*Corresponding Author Email- lkbehera@nau.in
ABSTRACT
Excellent timber tree species, Pterocarpus
marsupium Roxb. (Fabaceae) is popularly known as
Indian Kino Tree and ranks next to teak and
rosewood in peninsular India. Kino is a moderate to
large sized deciduous tree found at elevations from
200 to 500 m. This wood is often compared with
teak and has been paid less attention for extensive
cultivation and the native stands are fast
disappearing, though little known to the world’s
foresters and virtually untried in plantations. Parts of
the plant (heart wood, leaves, bark and flowers)
have long been used for their medicinal properties in
Ayurveda. The bark is used for the treatment of
stomachache, cholera, dysentery, urinary
complaints, tongue diseases and toothache. The
gum exude ‘kino’, derived from this tree, is used as
an astringent. The flowers are bitter, improve the
appetite and cause flatulence. P. marsupium has a
long history of use in India as a treatment for
diabetes. This species in the Near Threatened
category, should have to be conserve and used in
sustainable way for further depletion.
Keywords: Diabetes, Kino. Near Threatened,
Pterocarpus marsupium
INTRODUCTION
Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. (Fabaceae) is
popularly known as Indian Kino Tree, Malabar Kino
Tree. Kino is locally called as “Bija” and is native to
India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, where it occurs in parts
of the Western Ghats (Gamble, 1935; Matthew,
1983). The count of this tree species is declining in
the wild and therefore it has been placed in the red
data book (Near Threatened). It is exploited for its
timber and its medicinal bark (Ramya et al., 2008).
P. marsupium is well known for its excellent timber
that ranks next to teak and rosewood in peninsular
India. This wood is often compared with teak and
has been paid less attention for extensive cultivation
and the native stands are fast disappearing. Though
little known to the world’s foresters and virtually
untried in plantations, this species appears to have
the inherent qualities desirable as a reforestation
crop. Modern silvicultural research might turn into an
important plantation species for the tropics.
Traditionally, the plant material has been used as a
cooling external application for inflammations and
headache, as antipyretic, anti-helminthic,
aphrodisiac, alexeteic and in biliousness, mental
aberrations and ulcers (Kumar et al., 2006). Parts of
the P. marsupium tree (heart wood, leaves and
flowers) have long been used for their medicinal
properties in Ayurveda. The heart wood is used as
an astringent and in the treatment of inflammation.
The wood and bark of P. marsupium are known for
their anti-diabetic activity (Ivorra et al., 1989;
Kameswara et al., 2001). Phytochemical studies on
P. marsupium have shown that the plant contains
iso-flavonoids, terpenoids and related phenolic
compounds, ß-sitosterol, lupenol, epicatechin, and
aurone glycosides (Kumar & Seshadri, 1976; Mitra &
Joshi, 1983).
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 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.
Geographical Distribution
Ptercarpus marsupium is native to southern and
eastern Asia. It is found in Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri
Lanka and Taiwan (RPRC, 2014; TPN, 1996). The
species is considered introduced on Madagascar
and native to Bangladesh; India (Andhra Pradesh,
Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, Tamil
Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal); Nepal; Sri
Lanka; Taiwan, Province of China).

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Population
There is limited information for population size and
trend for the species. Natural stands of the tree are
said to be 'fast disappearing' (Anis et al., 2005) and
the species is known to be declining in Sri Lanka
(MOE, 2012). Pterocarpus marsupium is considered
rare within Andhra Pradesh, India, where only a few
individuals have recently been sighted. The species
exhibits low diversity across 4x1 ha plots in the
Shervarayan hills of Eastern Ghats, where only 22
individuals were counted within a Sanyasimalai
forest reserve (Kadavul & Parthasarathy, 1998). The
population is likely to be in decline as a
consequence of the species use as a timber and a
medicinal plant but there are no explicit figures for
this.
Threats
Current population trend of the species is
decreasing. The tree is threatened by its use as a
timber and a medicinal plant. For the latter the plant
may be felled or its bark removed (Abirami et al.,
2012).
Climate and Soil
A plant found mainly in lowland tropical areas, found
at elevations from 200 to 500 metres, but
exceptionally at 1,200 metres. It grows best in areas
where the mean annual temperature is within the
range of 22 to 34°C, but can tolerate 4 to 47°C. It is
found in areas where there is a distinct dry season,
preferring a mean annual rainfall of 1,000 to 1,500
mm, but tolerating 750 to 2,000 mm. It requires a
sunny position in a well drained soil. It grows best in
a deep, rich, light to medium soil. Prefers a pH in the
range 6 to 7, but tolerates 5.5 to 7.5. This species
fixes atmospheric nitrogen into the soil by symbiotic
relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria
form nodules on the roots.
Seed collection, storage and pre-sowing
treatment
Freshly collected seeds are used for raising the
plantations. Mature fruits are plucked from trees in
April to May before they fall on ground. Storage not
recommended due to less viability. Seeds treated
with H2SO4 (2%) and cow dung slurry (1:1) showed
significantly improved germination and seedling
vigour (Thanuja et al., 2018).
Nursery/propagation technique
Raising propagules
A nursery is raised from seeds under partial shade
in April. The plantlets are maintained in the nursery
till they are about two months old and then
transplanted to the pits in main field during
monsoons. Seedlings may also be raised in
polybags or baskets. If seedlings are maintained till
next planting season, it should be ensured that there
is no root coiling in the plants. Seed viability is very
low (about 1%–2%) and hence this tree has been
put under threatened species grade ‘A’. Seedlings
raised from tissue culture die out and their survival
rate is hardly 10% in open field due to intolerance of
high temperature, hence winter is a preferred
season for transplantation of tissue-culture-raised
plants in field.
Propagule rate and pretreatment
About 100 g of viable seeds are required to raise
seedlings on 1 hectare of land for planting at 8 m × 8
m spacing. Before sowing, seeds are treated with
thiram @ 3 g/kg of seeds to protect them from fungal
infections. Germination can be hastened by cutting
across their ends and soaking in water for two days
before sowing. Freshly collected seeds should be
protected from seed borers.
Planting in the field
Land is made into fine tilth by ploughing and
harvesting in April–May. Pits of appropriate size (50
cm × 50 cm) are dug at a spacing of 8 m × 8 m.
About 25 kg FYM (farm yard manure), along with
200 g of nitrogen and 150 g of phosphorus, is mixed
with soil of each pit as basal dose. The pits are
refilled with this mixture after weathering of soil.
Transplanting may either be done in July–August
(monsoon season) when the plants are two-month-
old or delayed till next June–July. A spacing of 8 m ×
8 m is recommended, which accommodates about
160 plants per hectare. Gap filling in the field is done
in September. When Bijasal is planted at a spacing
of 8 m × 8 m, intercropping can be done with a
number of species such as medicinal plants and
vegetable crops. The species can also be raised as
a pure crop at smaller spacing.
Interculture and maintenance practices
FYM @ 25 kg per plant, nitrogen @ 200 g/plant, and
phosphorus @ 150 g/plant are required every year
for the first three years. The fertilizer is applied in
two split doses, the first in September and the
second in January. Two manual weeding, the first
one in August and the second in November, are
recommended. Irrigation should be done six times in
the first year (preferably once a month) through
check basin system or filling the basin of the pit with
water.
Disease and pest control
No serious insect pest and disease are observed in
mature stems and roots. However, seeds are prone
to seed borer, which decreases seed viability. This
can be controlled to some extent by proper drying
(up to 12% moisture) and using carbon-di-sulphide
in storage. In nursery and early growth stages, leaf
eating insects and white grub attack are often
reported, which can be controlled by four sprays of
endosulphan @ 0.003% at fortnightly intervals and

MFP NEWS, VOL. XXIX, NO. 1, 2019
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application of phorate 10 g near the root zone,
respectively. To keep the plants disease-free in
nursery and early stages of development in the field,
seed treatment with thiram @ 3 g/kg of seed is
essential.
Harvest management and yield
The tree is harvested after 10–15 years for
production of heartwood. Kino gum is collected
through incision in the bark before logging of tree,
and dried well in shade. Each mature tree yields
approximately 500 kg of dry heartwood after 10–15
years. Thus, an estimated yield of 750–800
quintals/hectare is obtained.
Economic Importance
Pterocarpus marsupium yields a high quality timber
with high percentages of strength, stiffness, shock
resisting ability, hardness, retention of shape and
shear. The timber is chiefly used for building
purposes as doors, window frames, rafters, beams
and posts and as a substitute for teak after suitable
seasoning and treatment. It is used in the
construction of railway carriages, wagons, carts,
boats and occasionally for ship building. It is also
used for railway sleepers, electric transmission poles
and pit props in mines. It is employed for a variety of
other purposes such as agricultural implements,
drums, tool handles, camp furniture, mathematical
instruments, picture frames, combs, cheap guns,
sport rifles and parts of textile looms. It is found
suitable for chip boards and carving joinery the
building of timber bridges. Mixed with other woods, it
can be utilized in the manufacture of pulp for
wrapping paper.
The bark contains l-epicatechin and a reddish brown
colouring matter. The bark is occasionally employed
for dyeing. The bark is used as an astringent and in
toothache. The heart wood yields liquiritigenin, iso-
liquiritigenin, a natural unidentified component and
resin. The wood also contains an essential oil and
semi drying fixed oil. The tree yields a gum-kino
which exudes when an incision is made through the
bark up to the cambium. The exudate is collected
and dried in the sun or shade which yields dried
gum. The therapeutic value of kino is due to kino
tannic acid. Kino is a powerful astringent used for
diarrhea and dysentery. It is locally applied in
leucorrhoea and in passive haemorrhages. It is also
used for toothache. Kino finds application in dyeing,
tanning and printing. It is of potential use in paper
industry (Anon, 2003).
The flowers are said to be used in fever. The flowers
are bitter, improve the appetite and cause flatulence
(Kitikar & Basu, 1999). The bruised leaves are
considered useful as an external application for boil
sores and skin diseases. The leaves make an
excellent fodder and are valuable as manure in
areca nut plantations. It is a drug that is believed to
have some unique features such as beta cell
protective and regenerative properties apart from
blood glucose.
Medicinal properties of the plant
Anti-diabetic and antioxidant activity
P. marsupium demonstrates unique pharmacological
properties, which include beta cell protective and
regenerative properties as well as blood glucose
lowering activity. (Manickam et al., 1997; Ahmad et
al., 1991).
Anti-inflammatory activity
P. marsupium has also shown strong potential for its
anti-inflammatory activity as it contains pterostilbene
(Hougee et al., 2005; Salunkhe et al., 2005).
Cardiotonic activity
Cardiotonic activity was reported of the aqueous
extract of heartwood of P. marsupium. This plant
species contains 5, 7, 2-4 tetrahydroxy isoflavone 6-
6 glucoside which are potent antioxidants and are
believed to prevent cardiovascular diseases (Mohire
et al., 2007).
Antibacterial activity
Antimicrobial activity of bark and leaf extracts from
P. marsupium containing Hexane, ethyl acetate and
methanol are effective against Gram positive and
Gram negative bacteria (Sapha, 1956; Gayathri &
Kannabiran, 2009). Ethanol extracts of P.
marsupium exhibited significant anti-ulcer and
antioxidant properties (Nair et al., 2005; Manisckam
et al., 1997).
CONCLUSION
Pterocarpus marsupium a tree having excellent
timber yielding as well as medicinal properties is an
indigenous species and found Near Threatened
status in India. Though having timber value, it is
lesser known among the farmers’ community. To
conserve and preserve Indian Kino tree, it should be
planted by various afforestation and reforestation
programme. The population status of this species
can be increased by awareness of the importance of
the species to the farmers as well as to tree growers
and others sustainable harvesting technology for
bark, gum Kina and timber should be standardized
for commercial exploitation. This can be achieved by
modern silvicultural research and techniques so that
this species may be an important plantation species
for the tropics.
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Figure 1: Pterocarpus marsupium tree
Figure 3: Fruits with leaves
Figure 2: Flowers
Figure 4: Bark Figure 5: Mature pods with wing seeds