ABSTRACT
The genus Boswellia is the chief source of gum resin secreted by its stem portion, which had immense medicinal value in traditional systems. Most of the Boswellia species are propagated through seeds. The species growing in arid and terrarium areas act as a barrier, because these areas are poor in nutrients to germinate seeds. To overcome this and to improve Boswellia populations, botanists started propagation of Boswellia species through branch cuttings and other methods. Plant taxonomists and reproductive biologists observed that the following Socotra Boswellia species like B. ameero, B. elongata, B. nana, B. dioscoridis, B. popoviana, B. bullata, B. socotrana, and Indian species B. serrata and B. ovalifoliolata are propagated through seeds. These species produce seeds with limited success due to less viability or harsh environments. The alternate propagation method is through vegetative reproduction. This is also reported in a few species, such as B. ovalifoliolata, B. serrata, B. papyrifera, and B. sacra. Hence more propagative methods that are cost-effective to be implemented for a 216large-scale production of saplings. Also, a wide range of plantation plots to be encouraged for both conservation and sustainable utilization of natural olio gum-yielding plant species.
