ENHANCEMENT OF OLEO-GUM RESIN PRODUCTION IN COMMIPHORA WIGHTII BY IMPROVED TAPPING TECHNIQUE

The traditional tapping methods used for obtaining guggal, the oleo-gum resin from Commiphora wightii, are unproductive and destructive. An improved tapping technique, using 'Mitchie Golledge' knife, coupled with ethephon application has been devised. This method can enhance guggal production by about 22 times over that obtained in controls. The technique is inexpensive, safe, requires no specialized skills and can easily be taught to the tribals. The structure and orientation of secretory ducts in the main stem and the favourable season for tapping are described. Secretory ducts occur in association with secondary phloem in the stem. They are discontinuous, oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stem and anastomose tangentially. April and May are peak months for guggal tapping as established by localization of resin in the sectioned material using bright field and epifluorescence microscopy.