Association of Zeuzera conferta Walker on agarwood formation in Aquilaria malaccensis Lamk.

Agarwood (Aquilaria malaccensis Lamk.) is a one of the important non-timber forest species of North East India which on microbial infection produces fragrant resinous wood and agar oil, of tremendous market value. Agarwood and agar oil is extensively used in perfumery and pharmaceutical industries. So far, the research on A. malaccensis has been mostly on the role of microbes in agar production, specially the process of conversion of the healthy, noninfected trees to infected agar oil bearing tree. However, no concerted efforts have been made so far to study the role of Zeuzera conferta, a borer insect often found to be associated with the phenomena of agarwood production. In the present study, the association of this important insect on agarwood formation has been established. The borer insect (Z. conferta) is found to be habitually associated with the agarwood trees (23.93 per cent) where agar formation takes place and 69.91 per cent of harvested trees with agar formation of good quality. A new area has been opened up through this study and research efforts needs to be focused on bio-ecology of Z. conferta and its use for possible artificial infestation and agar production.

Author(s): Jatin Kalita*, P. R. Bhattacharyya, H. P. Deka Boruah, B. G. Unni, H. Lekhak and S. C. Nath

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