Evaluation of different inoculum types and their impact on Agarwood Yield and quality in Aquilaria Malaccensis

Agarwood, known locally as Karas or Gaharu and elsewhere as Aloeswood and Eaglewood, originates from the genus Aquilaria, within the family Thymelaeaceae. Agarwood is a fragrant resin produced by Aquilaria trees when they are attacked by fungi or certain insects. According to Abd Majid et al. (2018), the essential oil extracted from Agarwood is used in medicine, while the scented wood is highly prized for incense, perfumes, and cosmetics. However, these resources are under threat due to unsustainable production methods, including direct harvesting and indiscriminate felling of trees from natural forests. To alleviate pressure on natural resources and meet market demands, establishing plantations is proposed as a viable solution. This study investigates the methods of stimulating Agarwood production in plantation trees, focusing on identifying the best inoculum and methods. The research evaluates the quantity of Agarwood produced from each Aquilaria malaccensis tree and grades it based on established standards. Additionally, the marketability of the produced Agarwood is assessed. The inoculation process was conducted by five companies at the Karas Plantation located at Empangan Jus, Jasin Melaka. The inoculum materials were tested for their chemical content using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometer (GCMS). This study builds on research conducted by MTIB in Kuala Lipis in 2012, involving the following companies: Bio-Benua Teknoloji Sdn Bhd, Sansen Agarwood Sdn Bhd, Redclaw Aqua and Herbs Sdn Bhd, Inokulum Gaharu Biotech Sdn Bhd, and Etlingera Sdn Bhd. The inoculated trees were harvested after 18 and 24 months. The Agarwood was then carved into woodchips and pieces, recorded, weighed, and processed into essential oil. The essential oil was tested for heavy-metal content and active compounds before being graded and traded to study its marketability across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Five inoculums were analyzed and compared: Black Gold BioBooster (Bio-Benua Teknoloji Sdn Bhd), TW Destang (Sansen Agarwood Sdn Bhd), RAHE Probio (Redclaw Aqua and Herbs Sdn Bhd), IGB711 (Inokulan Gaharu Biotech Sdn Bhd), and UPMV16 (Etlingera Sdn Bhd). Four inoculation techniques were demonstrated: Chemjet, Dripping Bag, Bamboo Stick, and Infuse System (Bottle). The study found that the primary chemical responsible for boosting Agarwood production belongs to the Fatty Acid Ethyl Ester (FAEE) group. Except for UPMV16, which showed a higher concentration of Copper (Cu), all inoculums were free of heavy metal hazards. The findings also revealed that Bio-Benua Teknoloji Sdn Bhd produced the most Agarwood resin in the shortest time, whereas Inokulan Gaharu Biotech Sdn Bhd produced the most resin after a 24-month inoculation process. Redclaw Aqua and Herbs Sdn Bhd effectively produced Agarwood essential oil, yielding about 2.1 ml per kilogram of wood chips. The study concluded that all five Agarwood oils contained two major compounds, 10-epi-γ-eudesmol and α-cadinol.

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