Researchers from Gauhati University have developed a fungus-based biological technique that significantly accelerates the formation of high-quality agarwood in Aquilaria malaccensis, offering a sustainable solution for the agarwood industry.

Key Findings of the Study

• The study was conducted by researchers from the Department of Bioengineering and Technology, Gauhati University and published in the journal Microbiological Research.
• Functionally screened fungal isolates obtained from wild agarwood were inoculated into mature Aquilaria malaccensis trees.
• Within 21 days, the trees showed dark resin deposition and activation of genes responsible for agarwood formation.
• Within 90 days, the induced agarwood contained higher levels of sesquiterpenoids (aromatic compounds) than naturally formed agarwood.
• The method provides a bio-based, eco-friendly and faster alternative to conventional techniques.

Why is this Important?

• Agarwood is a rare, fragrant resinous wood used in perfumes, incense, cosmetics and traditional medicine.
• Natural agarwood formation is slow, unpredictable and occurs only when trees are infected or injured.
• Existing artificial methods such as trunk wounding, burning and chemical induction are costly, time-consuming and may affect tree health.

About Agarwood

• Agarwood or Sanchi (Aquilaria malaccensis) is a highly valuable and aromatic resinous wood, native to Assam and South East Asia. 
• It has a mythic reputation with a revered mention in Mahabharat, Buddhist birth stories and Hadiths in Islam. 
• It requires warm humid and sub-tropical climate as well as soft and sandy soil.
• It is suitable and preferable for plantation at a temperature between 22 C to 43C with 70% sunlight and 1800-3500 mm rainfall per annum.
• Agar is classified as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List and is listed under Appendix II of the CITES. 
• This listing ensures that the trade of agarwood adheres to sustainable limits, allowing export only if it does not harm the species’ survival. 
• Assam is home to over 82% of India’s agarwood trees, amounting to 11.437 crore trees outside forest areas, showcasing Assam’s dominance in this sector.
• Assam’s Golaghat district holds the highest concentration of Agarwood Trees (4.5 crore trees). 
• Other key districts include Jorhat, Sivasagar, Karimganj and Cachar. 
• In contrast, Tripura holds the second-largest agarwood population in India with just 1.515 crore trees. 

Significance for Assam

• The technology can increase plantation productivity and farmer income.
• It supports sustainable utilization of a high-value forest resource.
• It can strengthen Assam’s position in the global agarwood and essential oils market.

Exam Hook – Prelims Question

1. Agarwood, recently seen in the news, is obtained from:
   (a) Bamboo species infected by fungi
   (b) Resin-infused wood of Aquilaria trees
   (c) Sandalwood trees grown in dry regions
   (d) Medicinal shrubs found in the Himalayas

Answer: (b)

One-Line Wrap

A Gauhati University study has developed a fungus-based eco-friendly technique that can produce premium-quality agarwood within 90 days, offering a major boost to Assam’s agarwood industry.