E-GRC (E-Gaharu Research Centre)

obmar · Site Admin Joined: 14 Apr 2006 Posts: 5697

To deposit findings and literatures an accumukare a knowledgebase on agarwood.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method of producing agarwood comprising

(a) forming an artificial wound into the xylem in an Aquilaria or Gonystylus tree, and

(b) providing a means for aerating the wound.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising repeating steps a and/or b.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein steps a and/or b are repeated after a discolored area has begun forming in the free.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the repeated wounding is in the discolored area.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the wound is formed by cutting, drilling, or chopping or by inserting a nail.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the wound is formed to reach the xylem.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the wound is formed to a depth of at least about 1 to 10 cm into the xylem.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the wound is formed to a depth of about 4-6 cm.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein a series of closely spaced wounds are made in the tree.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the series of wounds are positioned in a spiral up the tree.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein 30-100 wounds are made.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the series of wounds are positioned at an interval of about 5 cm apart.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the aeration means is an aeration device inserted into the wound.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the aeration device is a nail, tube or pipe inserted into the wound.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the aeration device comprises aeration holes.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the aeration device comprises an exterior surface having grooves.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the aeration device is plastic, bamboo, wood or other organic material, or metal.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the aeration device is about 2 cm in diameter.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the aeration device is made of iron.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the aeration device extends out from the exterior of the tree.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the aeration device extends out from 2 to 15 cm from the exterior of the free.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the aeration means is a periodic re-wounding of the wound.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the aeration means is a monthly re-wounding of the wound.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the means for aerating the wound comprises scribing a patch of cambium around the wound one or more times over the life span of the tree.

25. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising removing a region of cambium adjoining the wound.

26. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising applying a resin-inducing agent to cells surrounding the wound.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the agent stimulates resin production.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the agent kills live parenchyma cells around the wounded region of the xylem.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the resin-inducing agent is a chemical agent or an organism.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein the organism is a microbe or insect.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the chemical agent kills cells locally.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the chemical agent is sodium bisulfite, NaCl, ferric chloride, ferrous chloride, chitin, formic acid, cellobiose, salicyclic acid, iron powder, or yeast extract.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein the chemical agent is 1:1:3 sodium bisulfite, Difco yeast extract and iron powder.

34. The method of claim 26, wherein the microbe is fungus.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the fungus is Deuteromyota sp., Ascomycota sp., Basidiomycota sp.

36. The method of claim 1, wherein the tree is less than 100 years old.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the tree is about 2-80 years old.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the tree is about 3-20 years old.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein the tree is about 3-12 years old.

40. The method of claim 36, wherein the tree is tree not growing naturally in an old growth forest.

41. The method of claim 36, wherein the tree is of the species Aquilaria malaccensis, A. agallocha, A. baillonii, A. crassna, A. hirta, A. rostrata, A. beccariana, A. cummingiana, A. filaria, A. khasiana, A. microcarpa, A. grandiflora, A. chinesis or A. sinensis, A. borneensis, and A. bancana, or Gonystylus bancanus.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Agarwood is a highly prized incense that is extremely rare. It has at least a 3000-year history in the Middle East, China and Japan. There are also references to agarwood in the literature of India and France, and even in the Old Testament of the Bible. Agarwood remains today the world's most expensive incense. The value of agarwood shipped out of Singapore alone each year has been estimated to exceed $1.2 billion. E. Hansen, Saudi Aramco World 51:2-13 (December 2000). This aromatic resinous wood has many common names including agarwood, gaharu, eaglewood, aloeswood, agila wood, aguru, agar, oud, ude, ud, ood, oode, jinkoh, jinko, Ch'Ing Kuei Hsiang, Ch'En Hsiang, Chan Hsiang, Chi Ku Hsiang, Huang Shu Hsiang, kalambak, and grindsanah.

The resin is used by Traditional Chinese, Unanai, Ayuravedic, and Tibetan physicians. Used medicinally, agarwood is a remedy for nervous disorders such as neurosis, obsessive behavior, and exhaustion. Agarwood is highly psychoactive and is used in spiritual rituals. Many religious groups prize it as a meditation incense, to calm the mind and spirit. In Ayuravedic medicine it is used to treat a wide range of mental illness and to drive evil spirits away. In Japan, it is considered by many to be sacred, and is used to anoint the dead. In Buddhism, it serves as a major ingredient in many incense mixtures, and it is considered to be one of the three integral incenses, together with sandalwood and cloves.

The source of agarwood is the Aquilaria tree. The Aquilaria tree is an evergreen that grows up to 40 meters high and 60 centimeters in diameter. It bears white flowers that are sweetly scented. The genus Aquilaria is an angiosperm taxonomically placed in the Thymelaceaceae family. Fifteen species of Aquilaria have been reported and all produce agarwood. The taxonomy of these species is not completely clear and not all species are recognized by taxonomists. Species include Aquilaria malaccensis, A. agallocha, A. baillonii, A. crassna, A. hirta, A. rostrata, A. beccariana, A. cummingiana, A. filaria, A. khasiana, A. microcarpa, A. grandiflora, A. chinesis or A. sinensis, A. borneensis, and A. bancana. Aquilaria bancana has been questioned as a true species of Aquilaria and has been placed in the Gonystylaceae family of the Gonystylus genus, as Gonystylus bancanus. Gonystylus has also been found to produce an aromatic resin that is considered the same as or very similar to agarwood.

Aquilaria trees are native to Asia from Northern India to Vietnam and Indonesia. The healthy wood of the Aquilaria tree is white, soft, even-grained, and not scented when freshly cut. Under certain pathological conditions, the heartwood becomes saturated with resin, and eventually becomes hard to very hard. The best grade of agarwood is hard, nearly black and sinks when placed in water. In general, agarwood is considered inferior as it appears lighter in tone, with diminishing amounts of resin.

The process of agar deposits is not fully understood. A Dutch paper from 1933 (J. P. Schuitemaker, "Het garoehout van West Boreno" Boschbouwkundig Tijdschrift Tectona Uitgave der Vereeniging van Hoogere Ambtenaren bij het Boschwezen in Nederlands Oost-Indi 26:851-892) reported the occurrence of agarwood in Borneo and discussed many different types of resin produced in trees. Most of the local people at the time believed that agarwood formed from mysterious ways and was associated with the spirit world. The author stated that "the mysterious occurrence of the `holy` wood is connected to supernatural powers" and that agarwood was referred to as "wood of the gods." The author also noted that "we cannot exclude the possibility of a pathological occurrence of which the cause was unknown," that "perfect trees never have agarwood," and that agarwood "is formed around wounded or rotting parts of the trunk." The author also suggested that salt put into holes in trees might promote resin. The paper also stated that if the agarwood was infectious, maybe it would be possible to induce agarwood formation by infecting the trunk artificially by putting fresh cut agarwood into the stem.

Later authors also reported the longstanding belief was that agar deposits were created as an immune response by the tree, the result of attack by a fungus. I. H. Burkill, A dictionary of the economic products of the Malay Peninsula. Vol. I Crown Agents for the Colonies, London p. 197-205. In the 1940's and 1950's, several researchers investigated the origins of agar deposits with varying and sometimes conflicting results. Rahman and Basak, Bano Biggyan Patrika 9:87-93 (1980). Others concluded that it was unlikely that there was a specific fungal cause for the production of agarwood. Gibson, Bano Biggyan Patrika 6:16-26 (1977). It was suggested that the resin deposits might arise as a direct response of the stem tissues of the tree to wounds with subsequent invasion by weak pathogens. Id.

Rahman and Basak suggested that wounding produced color changes in the wood with some "oleoresin" deposits. Rahman and Basak, Bano Biggyan Patrika 9:87-93 (1980). They postulated that the presence of an exposed, open wound seemed to be of more importance than the presence of certain species of fungi within a wound. They, however, concluded their paper by stating that further investigation was needed in order to determine what factors were responsible in wounding, which are important in agar deposition.

The identification of the small proportion of the trees having agar is difficult and destructive, which added greatly to the near-extinction of natural stands of tress. Also, large-scale logging operations have destroyed many forested areas where the Aquilaria trees are found. Thus, the current source of agarwood, the naturally-growing old-growth Aquilaria trees, is becoming extinct. To date no one has successfully cultivated agarwood. E. Hansen, Saudi Aramco World 51:2-13 (December, 2000). Therefore, there is a growing need for a means to cultivate Aquilaria trees that produce agarwood as a renewable source for agarwood.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method of producing agarwood by forming an artificial wound into the xylem in an Aquilaria or Gonystylus tree, and providing a means for aerating the wound. Additional wounds may be formed either at the same time or after a discolored area has begun forming in the tree. The wound may be formed by cutting, drilling, or chopping or by inserting a nail. The wound is formed to reach the xylem. The wound may be formed to a depth of at least about 1 to 10 cm into the xylem. In one embodiment the wound is formed to a depth of about 4-6 cm. The wounds may be made as a series of closely spaced wounds in the tree. For example, the series of wounds, such as about 30-100 wounds, may be positioned in a spiral up the tree. The wounds may be positioned at an interval of about 5 cm apart.

In the present method, the aeration means may be an aeration device inserted into the wound, such as a nail, tube or pipe inserted into the wound. The aeration device may contain aeration holes in it and/or it may contain grooves on its exterior surface. The aeration device may be made of plastic, bamboo, wood or other organic material, or metal, such as iron. It may be about 2 cm in diameter. When inserted, the aeration device may extend out from the exterior of the tree, such as about 2 to 15 cm from the exterior of the tree.

Alternatively, the aeration means of the present invention may be a periodic (e.g., monthly) re-wounding of the wound. This may be by scribing a patch of cambium around the wound one or more times over the life span of the tree. It may also be by removing a region of cambium adjoining the wound.

The present method may also involve applying a resin-inducing agent to cells surrounding the wound. This resin-inducing agent stimulates resin production in the tree. It may kill live parenchyma cells around the wounded region of the xylem. The resin-inducing agent may be a chemical agent. If a chemical agent is used, it may kill cells locally. It can be, for example, sodium bisulfite, NaCl, ferric chloride, ferrous chloride, chitin, formic acid, cellobiose, salicyclic acid, iron powder, or yeast extract. In particular, it may be 1:1:3 sodium bisulfite, Difco yeast extract and iron powder. Alternatively, or additionally, the resin-inducing agent may be an organism, such as an insect or microbe, such as a fungus (e.g., Deuteromyota sp., Ascomycota sp., Basidiomycota sp.)

The tree that is used in the present invention is less than 100 years old, preferably is about 2-80 years old, more preferably 3-20 years old, or even only about 3-12 years old. The tree used in the present invention is not growing naturally in an old growth forest. An "old growth forest" is defined herein as a forest that is ecologically mature and has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance such as logging, roading and clearing. Also included in this definition are ecologically mature forests where the effects of disturbance are now negligible. In such old growth forests, the upper stratum or overstory is in the late mature to over-mature growth phases. Species of trees that can be used in the present invention include, for example, Aquilaria malaccensis, A. agallocha, A. baillonii, A. crassna, A. hirta, A. rostrata, A. beccariana, A. cummingiana, A. filaria, A. khasiana, A. microcarpa, A. grandiflora, A. chinesis or A. sinensis, A. borneensis, and A. bancana, or Gonystylus bancanus.

The present invention also provides agarwood produced by the methods described above. The present invention further provides agarwood from a tree grown in a home garden, in a plantation, in a greenhouse, or in agricultural lands.

It should be noted that the indefinite articles "a" and "an" and the definite article "the" are used in the present application, as is common in patent applications, to mean one or more unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1. Schematic drawing of wounded Aquilaria tree at time of harvest with nothing done to promote agarwood showing internal callus formation produced by bundles of included phloem cells, and wound closure from inside the drill wound. Surface cells also produce callus tissue and wound closure occurs from the outer edge of the drill wound. Little discoloration forms and insignificant amounts (if any) of agarwood may form in a very thin band between the discolored wood and the sound, unaltered xylem.

FIG. 2A. Schematic drawing of Aquilaria tree that was wounded and tube with aeration holes inserted. FIG. 2B. Drawing of trees that were wounded and had multiple aeration tubes inserted into the trees.

FIG. 3. Schematic drawing showing wounded Aquilaria tree at time of harvest with plastic tube inserted into the drill hole. Tree was treated with sodium bisulfite. A discolored region around the wounded area extends above, below and around the wound. An area of agarwood resin forms in a thick band between the discolored wood and the sound, unaltered xylem. This area of agarwood production gets larger and more dense over time.

FIG. 4. Schematic drawing showing the effects of new wounds made about 1 year after original wound. These new wounds allow the agarwood to be formed in the new xylem produced after the original wounds are made.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aquilaria has a unique anatomy, and one who wishes to induce agarwood in young trees must understand its anatomy. Unlike most trees in the Angiospemae that produce phloem cells external to the xylem (growing out from the circumference of the cambium), Aquilaria produces bundles of phloem cells throughout the xylem as well as in a layer external to the xylem. This means that the xylem (consisting of vessels, fibers and parenchyma cells) also contains groups of phloem cells called included phloem or interxlyary phloem of the diffuse (foraminate) type. When trees are wounded they respond by forming new wood cells by the cambium. These cells differentiate and close the wound with newly produced cells (Blanchette R. A. 1992. Anatomical responses of xylem to injury and invasion by fungi. In: Defense Mechanisms of Woody Plants Against Fungi. Edited by R. A. Blanchette and A. R. Biggs. Springer-Verlag Berlin. Pp. 76-95). Once the wound is closed, aeration to the affected wood stops and internal processes needing air cease. Most trees close wounds by producing new cells at the edge of the wounded cambium. Aquilaria trees close wound from inside the xylem as well as externally.

The present experiments have shown that the cambium of Aquilaria trees reacts to wounding by producing new cells all around the wound and even on the surface of the wound. See FIG. 1. Phloem cells apparently produce new cambial cells that produce new differentiated wood cells. Wound closure occurs rapidly. Phloem bundles on the surface of the exposed xylem produce secondary cambial cells that produce new cells to seal and close the wound. Large surface wounds do not close by only producing callus at the edge of the wounds (like most trees) instead the entire surface of the exposed xylem produces new cambial cells which in turn differentiate producing new wood cells that close the wound.

Although wounding has been suggested to cause agarwood, the typical types of wounds that are produced in trees produce no agarwood. If artificial wounds are made into the xylem by boring into the tree, the included phloem present throughout the wounded site reacts and may produce new cambial cells. New wood formed from this new cambium will grow within the wounded xylem. This seals and closes the internal wound. Aquilaria trees with internal wounds can seal and close wounds from the inside of the trees as well as along the wounded surface of the exterior surfaces of the tree. The present experiments show that wound closure stops agarwood formation.

The literature has suggested that fungi growing in the wounded Aquilaria tree may cause agarwood formation. Different types of fungi have been suggested including Phialophora parasitica, Torula sp., Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp., Fusarium sp., Cladosporium sp., Epicoccum granulatum, Cylimndrocladium, Sphaeropsis sp., Botryodiplodia theobromae, Trichoderma sp., Phomopsis sp., and Cunninghamella echinulata. With all of these fungi suggested as a possible cause and no clear definitive research to show that a fungus is responsible for agarwood to form, researchers have indicated "that agaru arises from a much more generalized cause than previously invisaged" (Gibson, Bano Biggyan Patrika 6:16-26 (1977)). Punithalingam and Gibson, Nova Hedwigia 29:251-255 (1978) report a new species of Phomopsis from Aquilaria but indicate "no evidence was obtained to show that this fungus was the cause of the formation of agaru." In a paper by Rahman and Basak (Bano Biggyan Patrika 9:87-93 (1980)) on "Agarwood production in agar tree by artificial inoculation and wounding" after experiments to produce agarwood they concluded, "More experimental work needs to be done before the generation of agar deposit is fully understood. There is no doubt that we are still far from the development of techniques which would provide an assured supply of agar products." The paper by Rao and Dayal (International Association of Wood Anatomist Bulletin N.S., 13:163-172 (1992)) discusses the formation of agarwood and provides microscopic views of affected wood from naturally growing trees with agarwood. They conclude by suggesting that "it is important to study factors such as tree age, within-tree seasonal variation in responsiveness, and environmental variation" to determine how agarwood is formed. Research by the present inventors has shown that tree age is not important (planted young trees not growing naturally in a forest can produce agarwood) and agarwood has been produced in trees at three different geographical locations in Vietnam showing variation in the environment is not a critical factor.

Agarwood is a resinous wood substance that is produced by the tree as a nonspecific host response to wounding, insects and/or microbial invasion. The resin contains tree extractives that have aromatic terpenes present. As discussed above, Aquilaria is unique in that it produces phloem bundles within the xylem. This network of phloem and parenchyma cells produce and distribute the resin around affected areas as a tree defense reaction. It was previously thought that only old trees could produce resin.

The present inventors have determined how agarwood forms in nature and have used this information to produce agarwood in young cultivated Aquilaria trees. The trees may be grown, for example, in a home or cooperative garden, on a plantation, or in a greenhouse. The present technique for producing agarwood has been used on young plantation-grown trees, about 3 to 8 years old. The technique can be performed on trees that are older than this, although for economic reasons, it is beneficial to use younger trees. The inventors have found that two factors are needed in order to induce the production of agarwood in Aquilaria trees: (1) an open wound in the tree, and (2) this open wound must be aerated.

Trees are wounded with a drill to make a hole into the xylem. Many types of wounds were tried and a hole that cuts across the xylem is needed. The size of the hole is not important. Of prime importance is that the hole must not be closed by callus tissue. Small drill wounds may close by new wood growth within one year in fast-growing tropical trees. To insure that the wound does not close, a region of cambium can be cut around the drill wound. This removes the cambium and delays callus formation and wound closure. This process needs to be done repeatedly if the wound appears to be closing. Another method is to insert a sturdy plastic, bamboo, wood or other organic material, or metal tube or pipe (with holes made all along the sides of the tube) into the drill wound leaving it protruding out of the tree. See FIGS. 2A and 2B. As the tree grows, the tube prevents the tree from closing the wound. These and any other methods to prevent wound closure can be used.

In order to maximize agarwood production, one can disturb the tree cells that line the hole after the hole is made. It was seen that the more disruption of live cells, the greater the internal area where agarwood formed. If a hole is drilled, agarwood forms only around the edge of the wound (and only while aeration occurs). If a drill wound is made and substances that kill some of the tree cells (resin-inducing agents) are introduced, the resin forms over a much larger area. See FIG. 3. Many different resin-inducing substances can be used, such as NaCl, ferric chloride, ferrous chloride, chitin, formic acid, etc. Also microbes can be inoculated into the tree to induce a more intense host response. Species of fungi, taxonomically from the Deuteromycota, Ascomycota and Basidiomycota groups that were isolated from agarwood columns in old growth trees growing in Viet Nam were inoculated into the test trees. The presence of some fungi may help keep the wound open and disrupt live cells of the tree, therefore acting as an inducing agent. The sesquiterpenes produced in agarwood from naturally occurring resin in old growth trees and in young plantation-grown trees were chemically analyzed, and the resin was the same.

In one embodiment of the invention, the method would include a series of drill wounds made in a spiral up the tree (30 to 100+ per tree). Each wound is separated by a short interval. Each wound receives a tube, such as a plastic tube, with many holes in its walls. The tube is inserted into the drill wound and left to extend out from the tree 2 to 15 cm. The tube would also contain an inducing agent.

Another method would be to drill holes that are spiraled up the tree and the inducing agent is added directly into the wounds. Each wound would be scribed to cut away a patch of cambium around the hole. The wounds would be inspected over time and new scribing and/or drilling used to keep the hole open. Trees may be grown in nature or in greenhouses for agarwood production.

The following examples are intended to illustrate but not limit the invention.

EXAMPLES

Trees, approximately 4-5 years old, growing in plantations in An Giang Province or Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam were used for experiments 1 to 8.

Example 1

Trees were wounded by making six ax wounds into the main trunk on each tree. Trees harvested after six months were cut and split through the wounded area. The area of discoloration was measured on the exposed longitudinal plane. Resin formation (agarwood) occurred (if it occurred) in a small zone between the wounded, discolored wood and the live unaltered wood. After 6 months, the mean area of discoloration of six ax wounds was 6.1 cm2 ranging from 1.6 to 9.1 cm2 and no distinct area of resin formation was seen. After 21 months, the mean area of six ax wounds was 0.3 cm2 ranging from 0.0 to 1.5 cm2 and no resin was apparent. The results from this study show that wounding trees with an ax and making shallow surface wounds does not produce agarwood.

Example 2

Trees were wounded with a 5/8 inch drill to a depth of approximated 5 cm. Six wounds were made in a spiral fashion on the trunk of the tree approximately 20 cm apart. One of the six wounds served as a control and the other 5 wounds were filled with agarwood (approximately 0.5 g per wound) from a tree in the forest with naturally produced agarwood. This tree had been cut by poachers but some parts of the tree remained and some fresh agarwood was obtained from it. Small sections of the agarwood were cut and put into the drill wounds. After 6 and 18 months trees were harvested and evaluated with the following results.

Wound Treatment Area of discoloration
After 6 months
1 Control 11.7
2 agarwood 27.6
3 agarwood 22.1
4 agarwood 15.6
5 agarwood 12.6
6 agarwood 16.0
After 18 months
1 Control 18.4
2 agarwood 16.9
3 agarwood 18.8
4 agarwood 19.1
5 agarwood 15.1
6 agarwood 17.6

The amount of discoloration was somewhat greater than when ax wounds were used and a very small region of what appeared to be resin was found at the interface between discolored wood and sound wood. However, trees rapidly closed and the agarwood formation process did not progress as seen in the relatively small areas of discoloration present after 18 months.

Example 3

Trees were wounded with a 5/8 inch drill to a depth of approximated 5 cm. Six wounds were made in a spiral fashion on the trunk of the tree approximately 20 cm apart. One of the six wounds served as a control and the other 5 wounds were inoculated with pure cultures of fungi isolated from fresh agarwood obtained from natural forests in Vietnam. Five different fungi, representing different species of Ascomyota and Deuteromycota, were used. The genus and species was not determined but culture morphology indicated each fungus represented different genera. Only cultures proving to be successful for stimulating agarwood were to be identified to species after field data was obtained. Fungi were grown on sterile oats supplemented with malt extract broth for added nutrients. Cultures were grown for 3 weeks on the oat/malt extract substrate. Drill wounds inoculated with the fungi were filled with the fungus/oat inoculum. After 6, 18 and 21 months the trees were harvested and the following results were obtained.

Wound Treatment Area of discoloration
After 6 months
1 Control untreated 24.8
2 Isolate F-4 20.2
3 Isolate F-5 17.7
4 Isolate F-9 14.6
5 Isolate F-24 15.6
6 Isolate F-32 11.7
After 18 months
1 Control untreated 8.8
2 Isolate F-4 7.7
3 Isolate F-5 12.5
4 Isolate F-9 8.6
5 Isolate F-24 1.6
6 Isolate F-32 13.3
After 21 months
1 Control untreated 10.2
2 Isolate F-4 8.6
3 Isolate F-5 11.4
4 Isolate F-9 10.8
5 Isolate F-24 9.9
6 Isolate F-32 11.7

The results indicate that the common fungi associated with fresh agarwood in Vietnam did not significantly stimulate agarwood to form. The area of discoloration and intermediate area of very slight amounts of resin production was similar between the non-inoculated drill wounds and wounds receiving pure cultures of fungi. No significant increases in agarwood production occurred over the three harvest dates.

Example 4

Trees were wounded with a 5/8 inch drill to a depth of approximated 5 cm. Six wounds were made in a spiral fashion on the trunk of each tree approximately 20 cm apart. Two of the six wounds served as controls and the other 4 wounds were inoculated with different types of nutrient growth media (used to culture microorganisms in the laboratory) or soil.

Treatments included:

Control no treatment

Difco Malt Extract (ME) approximately 0.1 g added per wound

Difco mycological agar (MYCO) approximately 0.1 g added per wound

Difco yeast extract (YE) approximately 0.1 g added per wound

Soil approximately 0.25 grams of soil from the plantation where the tree was growing was added per wound

Wound Treatment Area of discoloration
After 12 months
1 Control no treatment 16.7
2 ME 11.2
3 MYCO 12.3
4 YE 8.1
5 Soil 7.3
6 Control no treatment 6.4
After 21 months
1 Control no treatment 6.0
2 ME 7.2
3 MYCO 16.8
4 YE 10.8
5 Soil 10.5
6 Control no treatment 12.6

These results indicate that no inducement of agarwood was found when just nutrients used to grow fungi in culture were used. Soil placed into the drill wound also did not stimulate agarwood formation. All wounds had evidence of wound closure from surface cambium cells and the included phloem cells of the xylem produced new cells to close the wounds from within the drill hole.

Example 5

To test if different types of compounds could stimulate agarwood production, 5/8 inch drill wounds were made approximately 5 cm into the main trunk of young plantation trees and different materials used to treat the drill wounds. Chemicals used were from Sigma Chemicals Inc. St. Louis, Mo. or Mallinckrodt Inc. Paris, Ky. One drill wound per tree received no treatment and others received one of the following treatments:

Chitosan--purified chitin approximately 0.2 g of chitin was added per wound

Formic acid--approximately 0.1 g of formic acid was added per wound

Sodium chloride--approximately 0.2 g added per wound

Cellobiose--approximately 0.2 grams added per wound

Lime--approximately 0.1 g calcium carbonate added per wound

Trees were harvested after 12, 18 and 21 months.

Wound Treatment Area of discoloration
After 12 months
1 Control no treatment 11.2
2 Chitosan 9.0
3 Formic acid 28.5
4 NaCl 49.3
5 Lime 10.0
6 Cellobiose 9.9
After 18 months
1 Control no treatment 25.4
2 Chitosan 22.1
3 Formic acid 18.6
4 NaCl 44.7
5 Lime 18.7
6 Cellobiose 20.3
After 21 months
1 Control no treatment 11.1
2 Chitosan 3.8
3 Formic acid 31.8
4 NaCl 36.4
5 Lime 9.7
6 Cellobiose 7.4

These results indicate that the reaction area within a tree and area of discoloration can be increased with compounds that kill live parenchyma cells around the wounded region of the xylem. Deposits of agarwood resin were formed at the edges of the discolored regions. Substances like formic acid that have a low pH and NaCl that has a high pH both can disrupt live cells and induce greater amounts of agarwood than the control wounds. As the tree grows and wounds are closed the affected area decreases. Other substances like chitosan, cellobiose and lime do not increase the area of discoloration within the tree at the concentrations tested. However, if added at amounts that are detrimental to live cells adjacent to the wounded area it did have an effect. Microscopic observations indicate that the cells around wounds treated with NaCl or formic acid react extensively and phloem cells are filled with resin. These cells do not have the ability to produce cambial initial cells and wound closure is delayed. Substances that affect the live parenchyma cells and phloem cells in the xylem stimulate resin production and induce agarwood production. They also inhibit wound closure from the outer cambium as well as new cells formed by the included phloem.

Example 6

Analysis of the chemical composition of natural agarwood and experimentally produced agarwood was done by identification of the sesquiterpenes present. Samples were extracted in methylene dichloride at 37.5° C. and nitrogen used to reduce the volume to no less than 0.1 ml. A methylating agent was added before injecting into a Hewlett-Packard 5890 gas chromatograph with a 15 m×0.25 mm DB-1 column. The injector temperature was 280° C. After four minutes the initial column temperature of 50° C. was raised at 10C/min to 340° C. The eluent was detected with a Hewlett-Packard 5972 mass selective detector with the interface at 280° C.

Samples of low, medium and high quality agarwood obtained commercially from Singapore merchants had levels of sesquiterpenes that ranged from 0.3 to 10% of the sample. Sesquiterpenes included, aromadendrene, β-selinene, γ-cadinene, α- and β-guaiene. The levels of sesquiterpenes from samples of agarwood from the experimental trees were at 0% (control wounds) to 1.5% (NaCl treated drill wound treatment after 12 months). Sesquiterpenes included aromadendrene, α-selinene, γ-cadinene, α- and β-guaiene and α-humulene.

Example 7

Multiple, small drill wounds were made at three locations on each tree to observe the effect of wound size and multiple wounds on agarwood formation. Twenty holes approximately 5mm in diameter were drilled approximately 5 cm into the xylem of the tree. Four rows of five wounds were made approximately 2 cm apart. Groups of wounds were made at 30 cm intervals on different sides of the tree. A 10×10 cm area of the bark was cut out around each group of 20 wounds. Trees were harvested after 18 months. The area of discoloration caused by the small drill wounds coalesced together resulting in a large area of discoloration with some agarwood resin formed along the edges. The multiple wounds served to disrupt normal functioning of cells around the wounds and wound closure was delayed. Single small drill wounds made in a tree would not produce significant amounts of agarwood resin since they would close rapidly, but groups of multiple wounds made closely together on the tree disrupted the normal functioning of the xylem and stimulated agarwood production.

Example 8

Fourteen plantation grown trees on Phu Quoc Island were used to test different treatments. Each tree received 8 wounds that were spiraled up the main trunk of the tree separated by approximately 20 cm. A range of different types of wounds and treatments as well as controls were made on each tree. Each treatment was made at a different location on each tree to insure that location of wound did not have an effect. Trees were harvested after 15 months and taken to the laboratory for analyses.

Treatments included:

1. A surface wound approximately 5×5 cm was made by cutting the bark and removing the bark tissue to expose the xylem. No drill hole was made.

3. A 5/8 inch drill wound was made approximately 5 cm into the xylem and a 5×5 cm section of the bark removed around the drill hole and approximately 0.3 g sterile Aquilaria sawdust added to the drill wound.

4. Same as #3 but with approximately 0.3 g of a 1:1 ratio of ferrous chloride and sterile Aquilaria sawdust added to the drill wound.

5. Same as #3 with approximately 0.3 g of a 1:2 ratio of NaCl and sterile Aquilaria sawdust added to the drill wound.

6. Same as #3 but with approximately 0.3 g of a 1:4 ratio of Difco yeast extract and sterile Aquilaria sawdust.

7. Same as #3 but with approximately 0.3 g of a 1:1 ratio of sodium bisulfite and sterile Aquilaria sawdust.

8. Same as #3 but with approximately 0.3 g of a 1:2:4 ratio of Difco nutrient broth: Difco malt extract: sterile Aquilaria sawdust.

After 15 months, 8 trees were harvested and brought to the laboratory for analyses. The area of discoloration and resin formation was determined by splitting the tree through the wounded region and area affected measured using an image analyzer. Area (cm2) was determined for all wounds in the longitudinal plane. Each value is a mean of 8 wounds.

Wound Treatment Area of discoloration/resin
1 Surface wound 1.4
2 Drill wound 46.3
3 Surface wound and drill wound 27.3
4 wounds/ferrous chloride 112.5
5 wounds/NaCl 48.1
6 wounds/yeast extract 28.6
7 wounds/sodium bisulfite 182.0
8 wounds/nutrient media 34.3

This study showed the effectiveness of several treatments for the production of appreciable amounts of agarwood in young Aquilaria trees. Surface wounds do not produce agarwood. Deep penetrating wounds may produce some agarwood as long as the wound site remains open. Compounds that challenge the living cells around the drill wounds in the xylem (e.g. NaCl, sodium bisulfite, ferrous chloride, and any other chemicals that disrupt the normal functioning of living tree cells) increase the area of discoloration within the tree and the amount of agarwood resin formed.

Example 9

Young trees growing at two sites, in home gardens and on agricultural land (Kon Tum, Vietnam and Nui Cam, Vietnam), received 8 wounds per tree. Drill wounds 5/8 inch diameter were drilled approximately 5 cm into the main trunk of each tree in a spiral fashion separated by approximately 20 cm. All drill wounds were scribed to remove a 5×5 cm area of bark around the wound. Fungal treatments consisted of three different types of Basidiomycota obtained from Aquilaria trees in Vietnam. These isolates were not identified to genus but culture morphology indicated they were different genera. Cultures were grown on sterile rice supplemented with malt extract. Cultures were grown for three weeks before inoculation.

Treatments included:

1. Control wound receiving sterile rice

2. Fungal culture 97-14-5

3. Fungal culture 97-13-7

4. Fungal culture 97-11-25

5. Control wound receiving 5 g sterile Aquilaria sawdust

6. Approximately 0.5 g of a 1:4 ratio of sodium bisulfite and sterile Aquilaria sawdust

7. Approximately 0.5 g of a 1:2 ratio of salicylic acid in sterile Aquilaria sawdust

8. Approximately 0.5 g of a 1:4 ratio of ferrous chloride in sterile Aquilaria sawdust

After 15 months two trees were harvested from each location and brought to the laboratory for analyses. The mean area for each type of wound was calculated.

Wound Treatment Area of Discoloration cm2
Location Kon Tum
1 Control 22.7
2 97-14-5 14.5
3 97-13-7 18.0
4 97-11-25 17.5
5 Control 11.1
6 Sodium bisulfite 52.3
7 Salicylic acid 16.9
8 Ferrous chloride 18.4
Location Nui Cam
1 Control 15.5
2 97-14-5 18.2
3 97-13-7 31.2
4 97-11-25 20.9
5 Control 20.6
6 Sodium bisulfite 56.9
7 Salicylic acid 25.5
8 Ferrous chloride 23.3

This study indicated that the three different basidiomycetous fungi used did not result in extremely large areas of discoloration and the area was not very different from control wounds. It also indicated that the reduced concentration of sodium bisulfite used in comparison to example 8 caused a reduced amount of discoloration and agarwood resin. Although less area of discoloration was found, agarwood resin did form at the discolored/sound wound interface. When this wood was removed from around the wound and burned it produced a distinctive agarwood aroma. Some compounds such as salicylic acid and ferrous chloride did not produce large areas of discoloration and apparently must be applied in sufficient concentration to affect the living cells in the xylem adjacent to the drill wound. For example, in this experiment ferrous chloride was used in a 1:4 ration with sawdust and moderate amounts of discoloration were observed. In previous experiments it was used in a 1:1 ratio with greater amounts of reaction and agarwood production in the wounded xylem.

Example 10

Iron nails placed into the experimental trees showed a small but significant amount of agarwood when harvested after 6, 15, or 18 months. Reactions observed in the xylem indicate that iron stimulates resin production and iron nails or other sources of iron affect agarwood formation.

Example 11

Young trees 5-6 years old growing at two locations, Nui Cam and Kon Turn, Vietnam, were wounded by making 5/8 inch drill wounds into the xylem to a depth of approximately 5.0 cm. Wounds were placed in a spiral up the tree separated by approximately 10 cm. A 5×5 cm area of bark was removed from around the wound and a plastic tube inserted into the wound. The plastic tube had aeration holes drilled into the sides and shallow grooves made into its surface to facilitate air movement along the tube when inserted into the tree (see FIG. 3). The tube extended out from the tree approximately 10 cm so the hole will not close for many years. This tube will insure that the wound will stay open and air will be available to the inner wounded xylem. In addition to wounds receiving only the tubes, other wounds with tubes inserted had a combination of 1:1:3 sodium bisulfite, Difco yeast extract and iron powder added (the iron powder was a 99.6% Fe powder manufactured by J.T. Baker Inc. Phillipsburg, N.J.). Other compounds that cause a localized disruption of the normal functioning of xylem and phloem cells can also be used to prevent internal included phloem from producing secondary cells (that could close the wound from the inside of the drill wound) and to disrupt a greater area of cells in the xylem. As long as the wound remains open to the air, agarwood will progressively accumulate. The greater the disruption of live cells around the wound (without killing the tree) the greater the agarwood production. The tree must remain alive for agarwood to form, as dead trees do not form agarwood. As the tree grew new wood, additional holes were made to allow the zone of agarwood to move into the new xylem (FIG. 4).

Example 12

Trees located in two locations, Nui Cam and Kon Turn, Vietnam, were wounded using a 5/8 inch drill to a depth of approximately 5 cm. Wounds were placed in a spiral fashion on the tree from the ground line up into the crown. Wounds were placed 3 to 5 cm apart. Over time, the wounds were rewounded to keep the wounds open. This was done whenever the wounds appeared to have any wound closure. In these areas of Vietnam they were checked and rewounded every 2-3 months. Trees were wounded with 30 to 70 wounds depending on the size of the tree. These studies show that repeated mechanical wounds that are made deep into the xylem kept the wounds open by preventing external cambial wound closure and internal secondary cell growth by the included phloem. Localized areas of agarwood accumulated immediately adjacent to the wound as long as the wound remained open.

All publications, patents and patent documents are incorporated by reference herein, as though individually incorporated by reference. The invention has been described with reference to various specific and preferred embodiments and techniques. However, it should be understood that many variations and modifications may be made while remaining within the scope of the invention.

* * * * *
Other References

* "Agarwood, Aloeswood and Oud--Jin-koh", http://www.oller.net/agarwood.htm, 5 p., (Oct. 2000).
* Barden, A., et al., Heart of the Matter: Agarwood Use and Trade and Cites Implementation for Aquilaria Malaccensis, Traffic Network Report, 1-51, (1998-2000).
* Blanchette, R.A., "Chapter 5: Anatomical Responses of Xylem to Injury and Invasion by Fungi", In: Defense Mechanisms of Woody Plants Against Fungi, Springer-Verlag, R.A. Blanchette, et al., (Eds.), pp. 76-95, (1992).
* Bose, S.R., "The Nature of "Agaru" Formation", Science & Culture, IV (3), pp. 89-91, (Aug. 1938).
* Burkill, I.H., et al., A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula, 1, Crown Agents for the Colonies, London, pp. 197-205, (1935).
* Gibson, I., "The Role of Fungi in the Origin of Oleoresin Deposits (Agaru) in the wood of Aquilaria Agallocha Roxb", Bano Biggyan Patrika, 6 (1), pp. 16-26 (Jan. 1977).
* Hansen, E., "The Hidden History of a Scented Wood", Saudi Aramco World, 51 (6), pp. 1-13, (Nov./Dec. 2000).
* Ishihara, M., et al., "Preparation of (-)-Guaia-1(10) , 11-dien-15, 2-olide and (-)-2alpha-Hydroxyguaia-1(10), 11-dien-15-oic Acid, Fragrant Sesquiterpenes in Agarwood (Aquilaria agallocha Roxb.)", Tetrahedron Letters, 48 (47), pp. 10265-10276, (1992).
* Ishihara, M., et al., "Three Sesquiterpenes From Agarwood", Phytochemistry, 30 (2), pp. 563-566, (1991).
* Punithalingam, E., et al., "Phomopsis Species From Aquilaria Agallocha", Nova Hedwigia, 29, pp. 251-255, (1978).
* Ng, L.T., et al., "A Review of Agar (Gaharu) Producing Aquilaria Species", Journal of Tropical Forest Products, 2 (2), (1997), pp. 272-285.
* Siemonsma, J.S., et al., Plant Resources of South East Asia, Proceedings of the first PROSEA Int'l Symposium, Jakarta, Indonesia, (1989), 13 pp.
* Rahman, M.A. & Basak, A.C. Agar Production in Agar Tree By Artificial Inoculation & Wounding pp. 87-92, 1980.*
* Blanchette, R.A. & Biggs, A.R. Defense Mechanisms of Woody Plants Against Fungi pp. 79-92, 1992.*
* Gibson, I.A.S. The Role of Fungi in the Origin of Oleoresin Deposits (Agaru) in the Wood of Aquilaria Agallocha Roxb. pp. 17-20, 1977.*
* Rahman, M.A., et al., "Agar Production in Agar Tree By Artificial Inoculation and WOunding", Bano Biggyan Patrika, 9 (1 & 2), pp. 87-93, (1980).
* Rao, K.R., et al., "The Secondary Xylem of Aquilaria Agallocha (Thymelaeaceae) and the Formation of `Agar`", International Association of Wood Anatomist Bulletin (IAWA), N.S., 13 (2), pp. 163-172, (1992).
* Schuitemaker, J.P., "Garoe Wood From West Borneo", Boschbouwkundig Tijdschrift Tectona Uitgave der Vereeniging van Hoogere Ambtenaren bij het Boschwezen in Nederlands Oost-Indi, 26, Translated from Dutch by the Ralph McElroy Translation Company, 910 West Avenue, Austin, Texas 78701, pp. 851-892, (1933).
* Yoneda, K., et al., "Sesquiterpenoids in Two Different Kinds of Agarwood", Phytochemistry, 23 (9), pp. 2068-2069, (1984).
* Paoli, Gary D., et al., "An Ecological and Economic Assessment of the Nontimber Forest Product Gaharu Wood In Gunung Palung National Park, West Kalimantan, Indonesia", Conservation Biology, vol. 15, No. 6, (Dec. /2001), 1721-1732.

obmar · Site Admin Joined: 14 Apr 2006 Posts: 5697

http://www.actahort.org/members/showpdf?booknrarnr=676_20

MECHANICAL METHODS TO STIMULATE ALOES WOOD FORMATION IN AQUILARIA CRASSNA PIERRE EX H.LEC. (KRITSANA) TREES
Authors: S. Pojanagaroon, C. Kaewrak
Keywords: Kritsana tree, Aquilaria crassna, aloes wood, oleoresin deposition
Abstract:
Various mechanical injury methods were tested to induce formation of aloes wood in 4-year-old Aquilaria crassna Pierre ex H.Lec. (kritsana) trees grown at Phurua Highland Agricultural Experiment Station, Phurua, Loei (950 m asl, 17°17’N 101°24’E) during February 2001 to October 2002. A sequential change in the wood coloration was observed around injury sites. One month after wounding a pale discoloration occurred, followed by a darker yellow-brown discoloration after 3 months, becoming dark brown within 8-10 months and changing to black within 20 months with accompanied on burning scent. Wood block samples collected from live tree at 10, 15 and 20 months after wounding were compared among the different mechanical treatments. The results indicated that holes made with screws, wounds inflicted with chisels and bark removal with hatchets on the trunk gave dark yellow-brown to dark discoloration near injury (5-10 mm from the cut end), while nails hammered into the trunk gave dark brown to black occurring by the interaction between ferric oxide and fibers, where as hammers beated on the trunk gave only little discoloration. The larger the objects used to wound the trunk of kritsana trees, the wider the width of the discoloration ring. The rate of the formation of the discoloration ring around the wound in the rainy season (16-20 months after wounding) was 3 times higher than in the dry season (11-15 months after wounding), influenced by seasonal factors. Most treatments gave no specific aromatic kritsana scent by burning the wood samples, except only 4 treatments gave pale scent which were the holes made with screws (1.27 cm and 1.11 cm in diameter) and wounds inflicted with narrow (1 cm) and wide (2.54 cm) chisels. Moreover, the wood samples gave very low percentage yields of essential oil using a hydro-distillation method. In conclusion, mechanical injury can be used for the formation of aloes wood in kritsana trees, and the most suitable method was the holes made with screws (1.27 cm in diameter) which gave the widest discoloration ring and pale specific aromatic kritsana scent by burning.

obmar · Site Admin Joined: 14 Apr 2006 Posts: 5697

http://www.alhayyperfumes.com/agaroudh.htm

Agarwood tree is one of the precious gift of nature to the mankind, its sweet fragnance has no parallel in the world. It belongs to the genus Aquilaria of family Thymeleaceae. The genus Aquilaria agallocha, Aquilaria malaccensis and Aquilaria khasiana in the North East India of which Aquilaria agallocha. The agarwood (black resinous wood) or 'agaru' and agar oil (the essential oil) or agar attar are the most exalted perfumery raw materials obtained from the infected wood of this Aquilaria spp. The agar wood oil or aloe wood oil, known in the east as agar attar is obtained by distilling selected parts of the infected wood of Aquilaria spp. The oil is one of the perfumery's oldest materials used in high-class perfumery and as a fixative, imparting a lasting balasamic odour to the product.

obmar · Site Admin Joined: 14 Apr 2006 Posts: 5697

http://www.cropwatch.org/agwoodbib.htm

Agarwood

A Bibliography Data-base Complied by Cropwatch

obmar · Site Admin Joined: 14 Apr 2006 Posts: 5697

http://assamagribusiness.nic.in/NEDFi/map11.pdf

AGAR PLANTATION
(Aquilaria agallocha Roxb.)
Family-Thymelaeaceae
Agar oil and agaru or agarwood are the most exalted
perfumery raw material obtained from the infected
wood of agar tree. This transformed wood due to
fungal infection yields agar oil on distillation that has
unique fragrance and high export value. The agar oil
known in the East as Agar-attar, is one of the
perfumery’s oldest materials. It is considered one
of the costliest perfumery raw materials used in high-
class perfumery and as a fixative, imparting a lasting
balsamic odour to the product. Its traditional use in
Agar plantation
India, Middle Eastern and Far Eastern perfumery,
both as skin daub and as a fixative, rivals its former usage holy incense by the Hebrews.
Agar tree (Aquilaria agallocha) is distributed in all the Northeastern States and widely
cultivated. It is now rarely found in wild state.
Variation within species
In Assam two types of A. agallocha could be identified as ‘Jati Sanchi’ and ‘Bhola
sanchi in the population. ‘Bhola sanchi’ is comparatively of quick growing but yield is
less than that of Jati sanchi. It is the Jati sanchi that is preferred for commercial cultivation.
Soil and Climate
Agar plant prefers high humid, sub-tropical
climate with rainfall 1800-3500 mm per
annum. It grows from sea level upto 500-m
altitudes. It is a sun-loving plant and requires
lot of sunshine.
It prefers well-drained deep sandy loam-to-
loam rich in organic matter but can profitably
be grown in marginal soils and also in shallow
soils over rocky beds with cracks and
Fruiting branch
crevices. It grows well in hill slopes and forest
HAND BOOK ON MEDICINAL & AROMATIC PLANTS 39
environment. The traditional agar growing areas show that it prefers acidic soil reaction.
The mycorrhiza and other beneficial fungi which seems to be responsible for oil formation in the
agar tree being soil borne requires acid soil for their population build up.
Propagation
Agar is propagated by seeds, which are available in the month of June – July. The germination of
seed is epigeal, therefore, special care should
be taken in nursery management. They are first
germinated in sand beds and then transferred to
poly bags. Seed has short viability period (7-10
days) .
Transplanted in poly bags
From 25 days onward when the cotyledons
just drops down the seedlings are
transplanted carefully to poly bags arranged
under temporary shade. Normal management Polybag raised seedlings
practices should be adopted.
After planting young seedlings in poly bags, they are arranged in bed supported by bamboo poles
around. At monthly interval the shifting of bags should be done to prevent the penetration of roots
into the soil. Shifting of seedlings should be followed by light watering to avoid wilting due to
disturbances in the root system. Root trainer may be used successfully.
Field layout
Agar is a long-term plantation crop. A profitable plantation may be of 15 years cycle or more. The
short cycle plantation yields only essential oil or ‘agar
attar’ of low quality (Boya oil). The plantation may
be planned in two ways: (a) planting at wider spacing
along with some suitable intercrops and harvesting
at the end of the crop cycle. (b) Planting at
comparatively closure spacing and harvested at 2-3
phases. In the second approach about 8-10 years of
planting about 40 % selected trees may be harvested
Agar in tea garden
with a view to thin out the plantation for better growth
and development of the remaining trees and also to get a substantial income.
Planting time
Planting should be done when the plants have the greatest chances of survival. The best
time is during the rainy season (May-September).
HAND BOOK ON MEDICINAL & AROMATIC PLANTS
40
Planting
Under average condition spacing ranges between 2.5-5 m, (initially accommodating about 1700
plants per hectare) which at later stages i.e., after 8-10 years of growth maintained at 4-5 m by
harvesting in phase manner. When the planting is raised with some other forest species the spacing
may be given accordingly. The distance for avenues and public places depends upon the situations
and purpose of planting which may range between 3-4 m.
Planting of the saplings is done in well-prepared pits of size 50 x 50 x 50 cm made in advance
and preferably in the evening time or during the cloudy weather. After planting staking should be
done to keep the seedling in upright position and the soil around the plant should be firmly
consolidated. Immediately after planting watering is necessary. In no case, the soil around the
root be disturbed or removed during planting.
In the open and in public places the newly planted seedlings are to be protected in cages till they
grow fairly large. For better and faster growth of the plant, the pits should be weeded and hoed
to keep the soil loose and free from weeds.
Agar in Agro-forestry
Agar tree is suitable for growing on field boundaries and for dividing whole plot into sub-plots.
Not only this, agar tree is also grown on borders of gardens, school compounds, office compounds,
parks and residential sites. The good capacity for pollarding and coppicing has made it suitable
to fit in agro-forestry. The canopy of Agar tree is such that it allows sunshine penetration partly.
Thus, it can be planted in field boundaries, bunds etc., without affecting the field crops.
Besides, agar tree has been successfully grown for strip planting along banks of ponds, tanks,
canals and roads. In hilly areas / tillas as in Barak valley it can be planted on poor soils on hill
slopes, tilla tops. They help in reducing soil erosion and land sliding caused by rushing water
during rainy season.
Agar tree could successfully be introduced in Social Forestry and also in afforestation programme.
Agar in Tea garden
Tea growing situation is also ideal for agar tree. The increasing demand of agarwood, it is being
introducing as shade tree in tea plantation particularly in Upper Assam with success. Agar tree is
evergreen and with spreading canopy it allows partial penetration of sunshine through it. Regular
looping of branches above tea bushes is necessary.
Cultural operation
Soil working to a radius of 50 cm is to be done once in 3-4 months. Fertilizer application should
also be followed by these operations preferably twice in a year, before and after monsoon from
second year onwards.
HAND BOOK ON MEDICINAL & AROMATIC PLANTS 41
Agar seedlings are foraged by goats or cattle. To protect plantation, fencing is necessary. Initial
4-5 years period should be protected from farm animals. Trenching around the plantation has
also given good success. All the replacements of casualties should be done in the same planting
season and if necessary second replacement may be done during the second year using large size
seedlings.
Intercropping
Vegetables/pulses or aromatic crops like Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin), Sugandhmantri may
be cultivated as short season/short term intercrops during first three to five years of plantation. In
the later stages shade loving medicinal plants like Sarpagandha (Rouvolfia serpentina), long
pepper (Piper longum) may also be grown for another few years depending on plant population
and land type. Ginger/Turmeric may also be planted leaving about 50 cm around plant base.
Both the crops are exhaustive in nature for which some special care has to be taken. This type of
crops should not be taken more than two seasons.
Manuring
It is not necessary to apply inorganic fertilizers at the time of planting. Fertilizers should be applied
after complete establishment and only from second year of planting.
Well-decomposed cowdung/FYM @ 10-15 kg/pit of size 50 cm3 may be applied in pit and well
mixed with soil prior to planting. Undecomposed FYM or fresh cowdung should not be applied
in any case. The rhizosphere of Agar tree (0 - 45 cm) exhibits a higher rate of microbial population
when organic manures are used.
Fertilizer application
N, P2O5 and K2O at 10 : 10 : 4 ratio as per the following schedule may be applied from second
year onward preferably in two splits-
Second year …… 200 g/tree
Third year …… 300 g/tree
Fourth year onward. 500 g/tree
The fertilizers should be applied along with decomposed cowdung/compost @10 -15 kg/tree.
In the virgin forestland initially no fertilization is required. Later depending on crop growth fertilization
may be resumed accordingly. From 6-7 years of growth nitrogenous fertilizer @ 400-500 g/tree
per year may be applied in two splits during pre and post monsoon period. This may help in
keeping the tree wood soft, with higher content of cell sap enabling easy insect boring followed
by fungal infection and spread of infected area over a larger wood volume ie, higher rate of
bioconversion.
HAND BOOK ON MEDICINAL & AROMATIC PLANTS
42
Input requirement
Fertilizers per plant N;P2 O5 & K2O at 10 :10 : 4 ratio
When P is in the form of SSP When DAP is applied
2nd year @ 200 g/plant Urea 182 g 110 g
SSP 518 g -
MOP 55 g 55 g
DAP - 182 g
3rd year @ 300 g/plant Urea 275 g 166 g
SSP 781 g -
MOP 83 g 83 g
DAP - 275 g
4th year onwards till
10th year @ 500 g /plant Urea 458 g 277 g
SSP 1300 g -
MOP 138 g 138 g
DAP - 138 g
(SSP-Single super phosphate containing P2O5 -16 %, DAP- Di-ammonium phosphate
containing N 18 %and P2O5-45 %, and MOP- Muriate of potash containing K2O -60 %)
Coppicing ability of the tree
Agar tree regenerates freely. This characteristics facilitates (1) harvesting of infected tree
leaving the tree trunk for quick regeneration for a second crop and (2) seed production
from the coppiced tree once identified as a good mother plant from quality and production
point of view.
Coppicing during 10-15 years age the growth of new shoots is at a faster rate and attain
harvestable within next 10-15 years with comparatively higher yield of distillable wood.
A second coppicing depends on the condition of the growing environment and root system.
Higher infestation of woodborer and fungal infection are also observed compared to normal
tree.
Best results are obtained during March-May. Coppicing during monsoon and also during
winter months gives poor results.
Plant protection measure
In agar plantation no such serious pests and diseases have been observed. However, Heortia
vitessoides a leaf-eating caterpillar is considered to be the most destructive pest causing
damage by complete defoliation of agar plantations and has become a real menace to the
plantations in this region. The intensity of attack is more in the trees grown in open than
under shade and during drier season (March/April) the infestation is comparatively higher
HAND BOOK ON MEDICINAL & AROMATIC PLANTS 43
than rainy months (July/August). The pest found to cause defoliation twice in a year being first in
May/June and second in August/September. The intensity of attack is more severe during May/
June and can cause death of well-grown trees due to complete defoliation.
Control
1) Hand collection and destruction of the young caterpillars while in clusters.
2) At severe attack spraying with Ekalux EC 25, Endosalfan 35 EC Thiodan), Fenitrothion
50 EC (Sumition) or Nuvacron 40 EC is done twice at 10-15 days interval. While
plant protection measures by pesticide application is resorted to, it is to be remembered
that the beneficial insect borer associated with agar formation is not affected particularly
in the later stages of growth.
3) Severe infected tree should be treated with an extra dose of nitrogen.
Formation of agar oil and ‘agaru’
The infection of fungi occurs when stem injured or is bored by a larvae of a stem borer
mainly Zeuzera conferta Walker. It is seen that the larvae of Z. conferta bore the standing
tree trunk of A. agallocha Roxb. and make tunnels inside the tree trunks. Fungus enters the
plant through this vertical hollow sometimes-zigzag tunnel inside the stem, which serves
the initial sites of infections. Later on infections spread on all sides slowly and gradually
and ultimately a larger wood volume gets infected. More insect infestation in the infected
area, more is the chances to form agar wood in 7-8 years time after infection. Agarwood
formation is the resinification of accumulated oleoresin due to the action of microorganisms.
Infections may also occur due to mechanical or natural injuries on the stem but it is very
much localized. Due to infections oleoresins are accumulated in the infected wood and
later become odoriferous. At the initial stage infections appear as brown streaks in the
tissue. Accumulation of oleoresins goes on increasing with the increase of infection rate as
well as aging of infection. As more of oleoresins are deposited the intensity of colour of
the infected wood increases and finally it becomes black due to increase in concentration.
For agaru formation the hollow tunneling inside the trunk/stem of the living tree seems to
be necessary.
The fungal infection takes long time to mature and trees about 50 years old have the
highest concentration (2.5 - 5.0 kg/tree). Sometimes all the tissues under the bark of the
tree may be found synthesizing oil and also agarwood. True agarwood is heavier than
water.
If the infection starts at a young age say at the age of 5 – 6 years, then a total 10 years age
may be sufficient to get commercial agarwood or agaru in a plant. Without infection century
old tree may not bear a microscopic piece of agarwood. Based on the intensity of attack
HAND BOOK ON MEDICINAL & AROMATIC PLANTS
44
the trees can be grouped as healthy, slightly attacked, moderately attacked and severely attacked
trees. In a natural population about 25 to 30% of the trees may get infected and thus productive.
Cultural treatment to augment oil formation
Formation of agarwood can be initiated by the creation of open wound on the trunk of agar tree.
It is a common practice now a day to apply mechanical injuries in the stem, branches at regular
intervals for early infection. This is done just before breaking the dormancy i.e. before spring by
giving a deep slanting cut with a sharp Dao (a multipurpose heavy knife) or Axe. These injuries
are to provide ready infection sites and also to push the tree to undergo a stress condition, which
helps in spreading of infection. This practice yields better result where there is already built up
microbial population in soil and also the climate is warm and humid. These cut injuries serve the
initial sites of fungal infection.
The ‘Dum type’ product obtained out of this treatment for oil extraction is locally known as
“Ghap mal”. A 20 years old tree that may produce only 5-10 kg of ‘Dum’ without any treatment
(which is due to natural injuries and mostly obtained at the junctures of broken branches) when
treated by mechanical injuries is found to yield more than 30 kg in about 2 years.
Artificial inoculation
Artificial inoculation technique already developed and standardized in lab scale is found to be
most effective and reliable method for enhancement of agar production. Works on
commercialization are in progress and expected to make available for general use in the field.
Detection of productive trees
Since agar is located deep within the trunk, its detection from outer appearance is not easy.
Generally, such trees are distinguished by certain external features whether or not the tree harbours
precious agar oil or agaru deposits. These include:
(a) a poor crown, decayed branches, and uneven bole;
(b) swelling or depressions and cankers on the bole;
(c) the appearance of hordes of ants in the fissures;
(d) a distinctly yellowish to brownish tinge in the wood under the outer bark; and
(e) signs of ill-health particularly a die-back symptoms of the top and outer branches and a
yellow tint to the woody tissues.
The visible wounds, cankers on the bole, stem distortions, smaller leaves and the rotten branches
provide evidences of agaru deposits within a tree. Wood assumes distinctly yellowish tinge when
agar formation takes place. The normal wood in the healthy trees is of pale brown buff colour.
The change can be observed by removing the bark of the tree. Sometimes screw augers are
HAND BOOK ON MEDICINAL & AROMATIC PLANTS 45
driven inside at various depth and samples are drawn for examination. Finally the odour on
examination by drawing samples with the help of screw augurs. The disease or the fungal infection
usually takes some time to make it manifest, hence agaru is hardly found in young shrubs.
Harvesting
The physical age, growth rates and / or wood volume or physiological maturity do not govern the
harvesting age of agar tree for commercial purpose. It is the infected tree and whose further
growth is arrested due to physiological imbalance is harvested and yields agarwood and oil.
Generally, the bad and deformed trees attain harvestable first unlike other forest species. The
healthy trees are left to undergo stresses or subject to infection either naturally or artificially to
induce oil formation. The harvesting is done on selection and continues for a longer period from
a plantation raised at the same time.
Harvesting time
Although the collection of agar trees for oil extraction as well as for agaru is done almost
throughout the year, the best time is during February-May, the dry season when the plants
remain almost dormant or less active. During this period maximum concentration of oil with
less waxy substances is obtained. When stress is more bio-molecule concentration is also
more. The extracted oil during dry season possesses the finest odour and note compared to
that obtained during rainy season when the plant remain active in growth.
Yield
The yield of commercial products of agar tree is not uniform in all productive trees. It varies
greatly and is almost unpredictable. After 10 years of planting with intensive management each
infected tree may yield about 30-40 kg ‘Dum type’ to Kolagachi’ product for oil extraction,
depending on infection intensity. Therefore, quality of oil varies depending on types of wood
used for distillation.
Agar processing
Two types of commercial products are obtained from a harvested agar tree (a) agaru or agarwood
that is used as incense and (b) Essential oil or agar oil or agar attar. Agaru is obtained from older
trees while oil is distilled from old as well as younger trees. After felling a tree, the leaves and
smaller branches are removed. Then the tree is cut into logs (pieces of 2-2.5 ft.). Thereafter, the
logs are splitted to separate out the infected and non-infected woods. The agarwood of any
grade if detected is first separated out with the help of indigenous tools like hacksaw blade and
‘Batali’ and graded them based on the oleoresin impregnation, colour density, specific gravity
HAND BOOK ON MEDICINAL & AROMATIC PLANTS
46
and finally the odour. These are then dried, cleaned by removing the white woody portions as far
as practicable, polished and graded for marketing.
Agar oil is obtained by steam distillation of harvested wood chips or coarse powder in special
type of distillation unit. Distillation is continued for 5-10 days or more using firewood as the
energy source.
Economics per hectare
1st yr 2nd yr 3rd yr 4th yr 5th yr 6-8th yr 9-15th yr
Heads of exp.
Cost of fencing & repair L.S 5000
15000 5000
-
3000
- 7000
-
5000 -
-
-
Land preparation - -
-
3400 -
-
-
- -
Pit (30x30x30 cm) making
1700xRs.2/pit
-
-
8500 -
- -
-
Cost of saplings 1700 x Rs.5.00
-
-
-
-
3400 -
-
Planting cost @ Rs. 2.00/plant
-
8000
8000
8000
9000 -
8000
Compost
-
9000
8000
6000 -
- 5000
Fertilizers
-
3500
3500
3500 -
Application cost Rs.2.00/plant 3400
3400
20,000
6000
5000
5000
After care/year 30,000
5000
5000
1,50,00
-
Inoculation @ Rs. 100/tree x -
- 50,000
-
-
1500 trees
Misc. exp. 1600 1600 1600 1500 3,000 7000
1300
Total 54,000 23,000 27,000 27,000 33,000 1,73,000 87,000
Total expenditure upto 8th year = Rs. 3,37,000
Next 7 years = Rs.87, 000
Total Rs. 4,24,000
Anticipated yield and income
Assuming 1500 Nos. trees at 8th year out of the total, we may harvest about 40 % of the selected
trees i.e. 600 with a view to thin out the population for remaining 900 trees for further growth and
development and also to generate an interim income.
The final harvesting (900 Nos. trees) would be done at 15th year.
HAND BOOK ON MEDICINAL & AROMATIC PLANTS 47
Assumptions
Yield: 1) Yield of distillable wood (low quality Dum or Boya) from 8-10 years old tree
approx. 20 kg/tree @ Rs. 10.00/kg
2) Yield of Dum at 15th year = 50 kg /tree @ Rs. 50.00/kg
3) Yield of Kalagachi/Batali mal (agarwood)=0.5 kg @ Rs. 2000/kg from about
500 trees.
Return
Gross return = 1. At 7-8 th years Dum 600 x 20 x 10 = Rs. 1,20,000
2. At Final harvest Dum 900 x 50 x 50 = Rs. 22,50,000
= Rs. 10,00,000
3. Agarwood 500 x 0.5 kg= 500 x 2000
Total Rs. 33,70,000
Net returns: (Rs.33, 70,000 – Rs. 4,24,000) = Rs. 29,46,000
From an established plantation thus a net income of Rs. 25-30 lakhs after 15 years may be
generated giving an average of Rs. 1,96,400/year/ha. Intercropping in the early stages of
growth can generate extra income.
-000-
HAND BOOK ON MEDICINAL & AROMATIC PLANTS
48

obmar · Site Admin Joined: 14 Apr 2006 Posts: 5697

http://www.cites.org/eng/cop/13/prop/E13-P49.pdf

obmar · Site Admin Joined: 14 Apr 2006 Posts: 5697

http://www.wwf.or.id/index.php?fu...edo.species_gaharu&language=e

Gaharu ( Aquilaria)

Gaharu is a fragrant, resin-impregnated wood valued mainly for its aromatic, fumigatory, and medicinal properties found in Aquilaria trees. In Indonesia, the estimated stock of the tree is 1.87 trees per ha in Sumatra, 3.37 trees per ha in Kalimantan, and 4.33 trees per ha in Papua. The occurrence of the tree itself does not guarantee the presence of the resin. Scientists estimate that only 10% of the Aquilaria trees in the forest contain gaharu . Indonesia is one of the world's major exporters of gaharu products. With high market demands, many unskilled collectors are attracted to gaharu exploitation, and as a result, the gaharu population has suffered destruction across a large part of its range regardless that it is listed in CITES Appendix II. Lately, prices for the best quality gaharu have been quoted at about $400/kg, and much of the material is smuggled and illegally traded out of the country.

Our work now is focused on monitoring the trade of the gaharu, and raising public awareness to promote sustainable harvesting. For example, we work together with local stakeholders in Kayan Mentarang National Park (KMNP) to promote the breeding and planting of local Aquilaria species, and the inoculation with pusarium fungus. These initiatives were undertaken in various parts of the buffer zones of the KMNP upon the enthusiastic request of the communities themselves. We hope that this will become a sustainable alternative to traditional gaharu exploitation, and one that might approach a conservation-based enterprise with certain economic returns.

obmar · Site Admin Joined: 14 Apr 2006 Posts: 5697

Gaharu is being studied in Sabah as a non-timber forest product which may facilitate ecologically sustainable economic development. Gaharu is a resinous compound formed in the inner wood of trees of the Aquilaria species… click for project overview

Project Gaharu Malaysia
SFD (Sabah Forestry Department) has provided a few hundred gaharu seedlings for the PWET project in Pitas. These have already been planted in the ground in the various villages involved, on the land of the respective women leaders for security purposes as these trees are and will become increasingly valuable. The plan is that these trees will be treated by SFD (using the UMN technology) when they reach the required size of 10 cm dbh (diameter at breast height).

obmar · Site Admin Joined: 14 Apr 2006 Posts: 5697

Gaharu is being studied in Sabah as a non-timber forest product which may facilitate ecologically sustainable economic development. Gaharu is a resinous compound formed in the inner wood of trees of the Aquilaria species… click for project overview

Project Gaharu Malaysia
SFD (Sabah Forestry Department) has provided a few hundred gaharu seedlings for the PWET project in Pitas. These have already been planted in the ground in the various villages involved, on the land of the respective women leaders for security purposes as these trees are and will become increasingly valuable. The plan is that these trees will be treated by SFD (using the UMN technology) when they reach the required size of 10 cm dbh (diameter at breast height).

obmar · Site Admin Joined: 14 Apr 2006 Posts: 5697

This article is about the resinous heartwood from Aquilaria trees. For the trees which produce agarwood, see Aquilaria.
Agarwood or just Agar is the resinous heartwood from Aquilaria trees, large evergreens native to southeast Asia. The trees occasionally become infected with mold and begin to produce an aromatic resin in response to this attack. As the infection grows, it results in a very rich, dark resin within the heartwood. It is this precious resinous wood that is treasured around the world.

The resin is commonly called Gaharu, Jinko, Aloeswood, Agarwood or Oud and is valued in many cultures for its distinctive fragrance, thus it is used for incense and perfumes.

One of the reasons for the relative rarity and high cost of agarwood is the depletion of the wild resource.[1] Since 1995 Aquilaria malaccensis, the primary source, has been listed in Appendix II by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.[2] In 2004 all Aquilaria species were listed in Appendix II; however, a number of countries have outstanding reservations regarding that listing.[2]

[edit] History

Malaysia gaharu production based in Muar, JohorThe odour of agarwood is complex and pleasing, with few or no similar natural analogues. As a result, agarwood and its essential oil gained great cultural and religious significance in ancient civilizations around the world. In as early as the 3rd century, the chronicle Nan zhou yi wu zhi (Strange things from the South) written by Wa Zhen of the Eastern Wu Dynasty mentioned agarwood produced in the Rinan commandery, now Central Vietnam, and how people collected it in the mountains.

Starting in 1580 after Nguyen Hoang took control over the central provinces of modern Vietnam, he encouraged trade with other countries, specifically China and Japan. Agarwood was exported in three varieties: Calambac (Khi Nam in Vietnamese), Tram Huong (very similar but slightly harder and slightly less rare), and agarwood proper. A pound of Calambac bought in Hoi An for 15 taels could be sold in Nagasaki for 600 taels. The Nguyen Lords soon established a Royal Monopoly over the sale of Calambac. This monopoly helped fund the Nguyen state finances during the early years of the Nguyen rule.[3]

Xuanzang's travelouges and the Harshacharita, written in 7th century A.D. in Northern India mentions use of Agarwood products such as 'Xasipat' (writing-material) and 'aloe-oil' in ancient Assam (Kamarupa). The tradition of making writing-materials from its bark still exist in Assam.

[edit] Etymology
Agarwood is known under many names in different cultures:

It is known as Chén-xīang (沉香) in Chinese and Jin-koh (沈香) in Japanese, both meaning "sinking incense" and alluding to its high density.
Both agarwood and its resin distillate/extracts are known as Oud in Arabic (literally wood) and used to describe agarwood in nations and areas of Islamic faith. Western perfumers may also use agarwood essential oil under the name "oud" or "oude".
In Europe it was referred to as Lignum aquila (eagle-wood) or Agilawood, because of the similarity in sound of agila to gaharu
Another name is Lignum aloes or Aloeswood. This is potentially confusing, since a genus Aloe exists (unrelated), which has medicinal uses, . However, the Aloes of the Old Testament (Num. 24:6; Ps. 45:8; Prov. 7:17; and Cant. 4:14) and of the Hebrew Bible (ahalim in Hebrew) are believed to be agarwood from Aquilaria malaccensis.
In Assamese it is called as "ogoru".
The Indonesian and Malay name is "gaharu".
In New Guinea it is called "ghara".
In Vietnamese, it is known as trầm hương.[4]
In Hindi (India), it is known as "agar", which is originally Sanskrit based.
In Laos it is known as "Mai Ketsana".

[edit] Formation
There are fifteen species in of the Aquilaria genus and eight are known to produce agarwood.[5] In theory agarwood can be produced from all members; however, until recently it was primarily produced from A. malaccensis. A. agallocha and A. secundaria are synonyms for A. malaccensis.[1] A. crassna and A. sinensis are the other two members of the genus that are usually harvested.

Formation of agarwood occurs in the trunk and roots of trees that have been infected by a parasitc ascomycetous mould, Phaeoacremonium parasitica[6], a dematiaceous (dark-walled) fungus. As a response, the tree produces a resin high in volatile organic compounds that aids in suppressing or retarding the fungal growth. While the unaffected wood of the tree is relatively light in colour, the resin dramatically increases the mass and density of the affected wood, changing its colour from a pale beige to dark brown or black. In natural forest only about 7% of the trees are infected by the fungus. A common method in artificial forestry is to inoculate all the trees with the fungus.

High quality resin comes from a tree's natural immune response to a fungal attack. It is commonly known as agarwood #1 (first quality). An inferior resin is created using forced methods where aquilaria trees are deliberately wounded, leaving them more susceptible to a fungal attack. This is commonly called agarwood #2.

[edit] Trade and use

Gaharu production in Muar, Johor state, Malaysia
A gaharu manufacturing base in Parit Keroma, Muar, Johor state, (Malaysia): under En Sulaiman Doss Mohammed Khan supervisionSingapore serves as an important trading centre for agarwood products, because of its location and it economic position in Southeast Asia.

Agarwood is used in Arab countries (especially in the Persian Gulf) as incense. In Japan, it is used in Kōdō or "incense ceremony" along with Sandalwood. Agarwood (Aloeswood) was used by the Ancient Egyptians for embalming dead bodies. Agarwood extract is rarely used in western perfumery due to its prohibitive price.

Due to its rarity and the high demand for it, agarwood and agarwood extracts bring high prices. Indiscriminate cutting of trees of the relevant species in the hope of finding agarwood has resulted in depletion of wild trees. One species has been CITES-listed. Projects are currently underway in some countries in southeast Asia to infect cultivated Aquilaria trees artificially to produce agarwood in a sustainable manner.

Apart from the resin and the aloe-oil, historically in Assam, the bark of the Agarwood has been also in use for making a flat material (Xasipat/ Sanchipat) for writing.[7] Currently, export oriented commercial cultivation of Agarwood is being carried out in the district of Nagaon in Central Assam.[8]

In the past, Malaysia (formerly Malaya) was a popular spot for traders to seek perfumes. The native perfumes produced from real woods and petals from Malaya successfully attracted traders from all over the world, especially from Portugal and Britain. However, the popularity of agarwood in Malaysia faded after the colonization of Malacca.

Today, gaharu (Malay word for agarwood) is becoming more popular in Malaysia. This is due to a movement by En Sulaiman Bin Doss Mohammed Khan, originating in Muar Johor, to create awareness of the precious sources of agarwood in Malaysia. This kind of awareness is vital as Malaysia is rich in agarwood, deep in the jungles, mainly in Terengganu and Pahang. The government of Malaysia recently financed some agencies to continue research and development of gaharu. The goal is also to increase the trade of agarwood in Malaysia to levels such as those during the Malacca Sultanate centuries ago.

[edit] Odour profile
This article needs additional citations for verification.
Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (July 2007)

diversify usage of gaharu in perfume productionA natural perfume oil obtained by CO2 extraction from agarwood retains the odour of "true" agarwood: a cepes (mushroom) and carrot seed accord, which can be roughly approximated by combining ambergris, jasmine, earth and wood notes. Lightly infected wood, sometimes cultivated, produces an inferior oil with a vetiver / sandalwood / patchouli character.

[edit] Notes
^ a b Broad, S. (1995) "Agarwood harvesting in Vietnam" TRAFFIC Bulletin 15:96
^ a b CITES (25 April 2005) "Notification to the Parties" No. 2005/0025
^ Li, Tana (1998) Nguỹên Cochinchina: southern Vietnam in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries Southeast Asia Program Publications, Ithaca, NY, p. 79 ISBN 0-87727-722-2
^ Thứ Hai (9 April 2006) "Kỳ nam và Trầm hương" Tuổi Trẻ Online
^ Ng, L.T., Chang Y.S. and Kadir, A.A. (1997) "A review on agar (gaharu) producing Aquilaria species" Journal of Tropical Forest Products 2(2): pp. 272-285
^ formerly Phialophora parasitica Crous, P. W. et al. (1996) "Phaeoacremonium gen. nov. associated with wilt and decline diseases of woody hosts and human infections." Mycologia 88(5): pp. 786–796
^ Baishya, D. (January 6, 2005) "Journey from pulp to paper" The Telegraph Calcutta
^ Office of the District Collector "AGAR: The Liquid Gold & Natures gift to Nagaon" in The Official Website of the Nagaon District Assam

[edit] External links
Etymology of agarwood and aloe
[1], photographs of the resin, agarwood and aquilaria
Article by David Oller & Kyozaburo Nakata
Interesting article that describes the challenge of sourcing agarwood.
Hong Kong herbarium factsheet of Aquilaria sinensis
"Sustainable Agarwood Production in Aquilaria Trees" at the University of Minnesota
Rainforest project
The Oriscent Agarwood Guide
CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna]]