International Journal of Research in Agriculture and Forestry

Volume 6, Issue 7, 2019, PP 6-11

ISSN 2394-5907 (Print) & ISSN 2394-5915 (Online)

An overview on Growth and Development of Agar Plant

(Aquilaria malaccensis Roxb) Through Management Practices
in Bangladesh
S. Ali* and M.A. Kashem
Department of Soil Science, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh
*Corresponding Author: S. Ali, Department of Soil Science, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-
3100, Bangladesh, Email: sahjahanali37@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
The study was undertaken to the growth and development of agar plant through management practices.
Bangladesh is favorable for Agar plant production commercially. The history of agar in Bangladesh is very
ancient and grows naturally in Sythet, Chittagong, Cox's Bazar and Chittagong hill tracts from time
immemorial but at present natural grown agar tree is very hard to find. Agar is one of the most promising
non-timber forest products (NTFPs) of Bangladesh. The atmospheric and soil condition of Sylhet Region are
also congenial for the growth and development of Agar wood. Very little information is available on
cultivation practices of Agar plant. Research and development may create an ample scope of boost up its
production, particularly in south-east hilly regions in the country. A rigorous research is needed for
development of agar enterprise and increase systems productivity with intercropping of other plants or
crops. There is a pressing need to document and identify the species of agar trees are being cultivated by the
farmers. There are potential opportunities that would arise in the future for improving the livelihoods of
poor people in the region by providing income generating means.
Keywords: Agar plant, Growth, Agro forestry, Management practices, Aquilaria malaccensis

INTRODUCTION grown in marginal soils and also in shallow soils

over rocky beds with cracks and crevices. It
‘Agarwood’ or ‘eaglewood’ an occasional
grows well in hill slopes and forest. The
product of genera Aquilaria and Gyrinops in the
traditional agar growing areas show that it
plant family Thymelaeaceae is the most expensive
prefers acidic soil reaction. The mycorrhiza and
wood in the world. IUCN-The World
other beneficial fungi which seems to be
Conservation Union Red list categories of six responsible for oil formation in the agar tree
species are considered at risk from over- being soil borne requires acid soil for building
exploitation for agar wood. According to up their population. Agar is a long-term
convention on International Trade in Endangered plantation crop. A profitable plantation may be
species of wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), of 15 years cycle or more. Normal management
Aquilariamalaccensis rated vulnerable and A. short cycle plantation yields only essential oil or
crassna is "critically endangered" while there ‘agar attar’ of low quality (Boya oil). Agar trees
seems to be some confusion over A. agallocha. are grown in their homestead in combination
This species is considered a synonym for with other trees. Agar is one of the most
Aquilaria. Malaccensis [1, 2,3] although some promising non-timber forest products (NTFPs)
believe A. agallacha to be distinct species. The in the World. Akter et al.[7] reviewed that
species, which attains a height of about 40 m, is artificial induction is not a new story but
tropical evergreen in nature and sometimes is yet to be made known and available in the
also named as A. malaccensis[4.5.6]. Agar plant country. Chowdhury et al.[8] reported that it
prefers high humid, sub-tropical climate with would be preferable to consider artificial
rainfall 1800-3500 mm per annum. It grows inoculation to get better quality and yield, and
from sea level upto 500-m altitudes. It is a sun- to change the economic standards of agar
loving plant and requires lot of sunshine. It cultivators of Bangladesh. Chowdhury [9]
prefers well-drained deep sandy loam-to loam evaluated a novel technique, called the aeration
rich in organic matter but can profitably be method, for producing agarwood in cultivated

International Journal of Research in Agriculture and Forestry V6 ● I7 ● 2019 6

An overview on Growth and Development of Agar Plant (Aquilaria malaccensis Roxb) Through
Management Practices in Bangladesh

Aquilaria trees. Hayder et al. [6] reported that rates may reach 90% for mature fruits that are
agar is one of the most promising non-timber sown immediately (Chang, pers. comm.). Trial
forest products (NTFPs) of Bangladesh. Rahman et planting on the grounds of the Forest Research
al. [10] reported that the population of agar tree Institute Malaysia had shown that survival of
is rapidly declining in natural forests in tissue-cultured plantlets 24 months after planting
Bangladesh, and the species is now being was 66.3% while that of seedlings was 40.3%.
planted in government-owned degraded forest The initial and final plantlet heights were 43.1
sites as well as privately owned homestead and 136.6 cm, respectively, while those for the
forests. seedlings were 27.9 and 114.8 cm, respectively [12].
They also found that the traditional management The mean diameter at breast height (dbh) of the
practices were adapted mostly based on indigenous stand was 38.2 cm during cultivation of 1928 to
knowledge and technology to manage agar 1995 with a mean height of 26.7 m and a mean
plantations. The aim of the study is to explore clear bole height of 15.7 m in Malaysia
the growth and development of agar plant [13].Bangladesh can earn more than Tk 100
through management practices. crore annually by developing its agarwood
sector and exporting agar products abroad,
METHODOLOGY
according to officials of Bangladesh Forest
Literatures were identified for review through a Research Institute (BFRI), reports UNB (The
comprehensive search by using electronic and Independent, 20 April 2016).
non-electronic databases. The study used
secondary data that have been collected from a BFRI also reported only Aquilariamalaccensis
review of the existing journal literature; books, is cultivated in Bangladesh. Akter and
report, blogs and newspaper were carried out. Neelim[14] analyzed the agarwood plantation at
Related published literature and documents were a BRAC tea estate. They first point out that
searched in a systematic way using a range of given the typically high value of agarwood,
key words relating to Agar plant, Aquilaria excessive harvesting had made this species
malaccensis and growth in the google, google threatened. Hence, BRAC had started agarwood
scholar and web of science database. plantation at Kaiyachar tea estate in July 2007,
Information was also collected from GO and with a plantation of about 17 acres, where
NGO’s by personal communication. 83,400 agar seedlings had been planted between
August and October 2007.
Agar Plants cultivation of Bangladesh
Aquilariamalaccensis produces seeds after 7-9 In addition, 700,000 agar seedlings had been
years while some other species produce seeds planted in two nurseries of the tea estate. The
only once in their life cycle. Seed viability is survival rate of young seedlings was an
approximately 1 week and germination takes impressive 95 percent, and hence, the BRAC tea
place between 16–63 days [11]. Germination is estate now plans to plant 50 acres of land with
epigeal and of the hypogeal type. Germination agar plant.

Table1. Area under agar cultivation at different regions of Bangladesh

Plantation
Location Area (ha) Managing entities Reference
period
The Bangladesh Rural
Akter and Neelim
Kaiyachara Tea Estate, Fatikchari 6.9 Advanced Committee July, 2007
[14]
(BRAC)
Karnafuli tea estate 0.6 BRAC 2004 Akter and Neelim[14]
Buffer zone of the Kaptai National 283.0 Participants of social
2007-2012 Rahman[15]
Park forestry programe
Bangladesh Forest
Charaljani and Keochia research 2.3
Research Institution - Rahman et al.[16]
stations in Chittagong
(BFRI)
Government agar garden in Denuded
Forest Department
forest areas of Sylhet, Chittagong and 1217.0 1999-2011 Novel [17]
(FD)
CHTs
121 Privately owned agar garden in
>1500.0 Private owner 1999-2011 Novel [17]
Sylhet Division

7 International Journal of Research in Agriculture and Forestry V6 ● I7 ● 2019

An overview on Growth and Development of Agar Plant (Aquilaria malaccensis Roxb) Through
Management Practices in Bangladesh

Propagation Soil and Environmental Suitability for Agar

Cultivation
Agar is propagated by seeds, which are
available in the month of June-July. The Aquilaria species grows naturally in all
germination of seed is epigeal, therefore, special ecological zones and on a variety of soils under
care should be taken in nursery management. wide climatic condition (Table 2), including
They are first germinated in sand beds and then those that are rocky, sandy or calcareous, well-
transferred to poly bags. Seed has short viability drained slopes and ridges and land near swamps.
period (7-10 days) [18]. However, significant mortality rate were
reported 3-4 years after plantation in Kaiyachara
Successful seed storage is difficult and loss of
Tea Estate, Fatikchari seemingly due to water
viability occurs very quickly once seeds are
logging [14]. Aquilaria is first growing trees and
exposed to the environment. However, with
in areas with adequate moisture, can achieve 10
good planning, proper management and modern
cm DBH in 4 to 6 years [19]. Planting on
nursery practices, Aquilaria seedlings can be
sloping land is thus recommended for agar [20].
produced in large numbers [19].
Table2. Suitable climatic and soil factors for the cultivation of Aquilaria species
Climatic variables and soil factors Range of values
Altitude range 29 - 1000 m
Annual rainfall 1500 - 6500 mm
Annual temperature 22 - 28ºC
Maximum temperature of hottest month 22 - 40ºC
Minimum temperature of coldest month 14 - 22ºC
Absolute minimum temperature 5ºC
Soil texture light; medium
Soil drainage Free
Soil reaction acid; neutral
Special soil tolerances shallow; other
Source: Adopted from [21]
Transplanted In Poly Bags plantation, but in home gardens it may be 1 m ×
1 m to 1.5 m × 1.5 m spacing [22]. The
From 25 days onward when the cotyledons just
plantation may be planned in two ways: (a)
drops down, the seedlings are transplanted
planting at wider spacing along with some
carefully to poly bags arranged under temporary
suitable intercrops and harvesting at the end of
shade. Normal management practices should be
the crop cycle. (b) Planting at comparatively
adopted. After planting young seedlings in poly
closure spacing and harvested at 2-3 phases. In
bags, they are arranged in bed supported by
the second approach about 8-10 years of
bamboo poles around.
planting about 40 % selected trees may be
At monthly interval the shifting of bags should harvested with a view to thin out the plantation
be done to prevent the penetration of roots into for better growth and development of the
the soil. Shifting of seedlings should be remaining trees and also to get a substantial
followed by light watering to avoid wilting due income [18].
to disturbances in the root system. Root trainer
Plantation
may be used successfully [18].
Planting should be done when the plants have
Field Layout
the greatest chances of survival. The best time is
Agar is a long-term plantation crop. A profitable during the rainy season (May-September). Under
plantation may be of 15 years cycle or more. average condition spacing ranges between 2.5-5
The short cycle plantation yields only essential m, (initially accommodating about 1700 plants
oil or ‘agar attar’ of low quality (Boyaoil). per hectare) which at later stages i.e., after 8-10
Bangladesh Forest Research Institute (BFRI) years of growth maintained at 4-5 m by
also developed the nursery and plant management harvesting in phase manner. When the planting
techniques for agar plant. They suggested the is raised with some other forest species the
suitable seed sowing time is June to July. spacing may be given accordingly. The distance
Generally agar plant should be planted at a for avenues and public places depends upon the
spacing of 2.75 m × 2.75 m in commercial situations and purpose of planting which may

International Journal of Research in Agriculture and Forestry V6 ● I7 ● 2019 8

An overview on Growth and Development of Agar Plant (Aquilaria malaccensis Roxb) Through
Management Practices in Bangladesh

range between 3-4 m. Planting of the saplings is success. All the replacements of casualties
done in well-prepared pits of size 50 × 50 × 50 should be done in the same planting season and
cm made in advance and preferably in the if necessary second replacement may be done
evening time or during the cloudy weather. during the second year using large size seedlings
After planting staking should be done to keep [18].
the seedling in upright position and the soil
Technique Use on Agar Plant
around the plant should be firmly consolidated.
Immediately after planting, watering is Agarwood induction, as perceived by local
necessary. In no case, the soil around the root be people, on trees growing in the natural
disturbed or removed during planting [19].Agar environment, happened in old trees that had
trees require 2 × 2 m spacing for rapid growth been stroked by lightning or attacked by
and development [23]. animals, insects, or microbes. The formation is
usually in proximity to wounded or decaying
Manuring
parts of the trunk. Initially it was thought that
It is not necessary to apply inorganic fertilizers formation of agarwood takes place only in the
at the time of planting. Fertilizers should be stem or the main branches.
applied after complete establishment and only
It happens in roots and twigs as well. Various
from second year of planting. Well-decomposed
conventional methods have been developed e.g.,
cowdung/FYM @ 10-15 kg/pit of size 50 cm3
Nailing Method, Drilling method, Partly-Trunk-
may be applied in pit and well mixed with soil
Pruning Method (PTP), Burning-Chisel-Drilling
prior to planting. Undecomposed FYM or fresh
Method (BCD), Fungi-Inoculation Method (FI)etc
cow dung should not be applied in any case. The
and Modern artificial wounding technique like
rhizosphere of Agar tree (0-45 cm) exhibits a
Aeration Method, Whole-tree agarwood inducing
higher rate of microbial population when
technique (Agar-Wit), Cultivated agarwood kits
organic manures are used [18].
(CA-Kits)etc are absent in the Bangladesh.
Fertilizer Application These methods are hand-down traditions and
have been practiced sustainably on trees
Nitrogen (N), P2O5 and K2O at 10:10:4 ratio as
growing on individual and ancestral lands and in
per the following schedule may be applied from
natural forests [21].
second year onward preferably in two splits-
Second year- 200 g/tree, Third year- 300 g/tree, Intercropping
Fourth year onward- 500 g/tree. The fertilizers
Vegetables/pulses or aromatic crops like
should be applied along with decomposed cow
Patchouli (Pogostemoncablin), Sugandhmantri
dung/compost @10-15 kg/tree. In the virgin
may be cultivated as short season/short term
forestland initially no fertilization is required.
intercrops during first three to five years of
Later depending on crop growth fertilization
plantation. In the later stages shade loving
may be resumed accordingly. From 6-7 years of
medicinal plants like Sarpagandha (Rouvol
growth nitrogenous fertilizer @ 400-500 g/tree
fiaserpentina), long pepper (Piper longum) may
per year may be applied in two splits during pre
also be grown for another few years depending
and post monsoon period. This may help in
on plant population and land type.
keeping the tree wood soft, with higher content
Ginger/Turmeric may also be planted leaving
of cell sap enabling easy insect boring followed
about 50 cm around plant base. Both the crops
by fungal infection and spread of infected area
are exhaustive in nature for which some special
over a larger wood volume i.e., higher rate of
care has to be taken. This type of crops should
bioconversion [18].
not be taken more than two seasons. Agar can
Cultural Operation also be intercropped with Acacia, upland rice
and pineapple.
Soil working to a radius of 50 cm is to be done
once in 3-4 months. Fertilizer application should Some farms in Vietnam also integrate agarwood
also be followed by these operations preferably and fruit trees in their home gardens. It can be
twice in a year, before and after monsoon from intercropped with a combination of agricultural
second year onwards. Agar seedlings are crops and fruit trees such as upland rice,
foraged by goats or cattle. To protect plantation, cassava, beans, sweet potato, yam, banana,
fencing is necessary. Initial 4-5 years period pineapple, jackfruit and many more. Saikia and
should be protected from farm animals. Trenching Khan [24] reported that low input needs and
around the plantation has also given good flexibility in site requirements as well as

9 International Journal of Research in Agriculture and Forestry V6 ● I7 ● 2019

An overview on Growth and Development of Agar Plant (Aquilaria malaccensis Roxb) Through
Management Practices in Bangladesh

suitability for intercropping make agar a preferred Regular looping of branches above tea bushes is
cash crop in the home gardens of upper Assam. necessary [19].
They showed that agar based home gardens in
upper Assam are financially rewarding and can CONCLUSION
generate significant amount of money for Bangladesh is favorable for Agar plant
sustaining the economy of the region. production commercially. The hilly barren area
Coppicing Ability of the Tree of the country could be transferred to goldmine.
There is no systematic research and well
Agar tree regenerates freely. This characteristic documented information about agar plant species
facilitates (1) harvesting of infected tree leaving used for oil production and developed
the tree trunk for quick regeneration for a technology related to plant production and
second crop and (2) seed production from the processing in Bangladesh. The agar wood
coppiced tree once identified as a good mother production could be a multifaceted field of
plant from quality and production point of view. prospects in Bangladesh. There are major
Coppicing during 10-15 years ago, the growth challenges to date which includes scarcity of
of new shoots is at a faster rate and attain high quality seedlings, lack of modern
harvestable within next 10-15years with management practices and absence of modern
comparatively higher yield of distillable wood. artificial wounding technique. Artificial
A second coppicing depends on the condition of induction is not a new story but yet to be made
the growing environment and root system. known and available in the country. This is the
Higher infestation of woodborer and fungal time to think about investing on research of
infection are also observed compared to normal induction to achieve economic goal of plantation.
tree. Best results are obtained during March- They concluded that there appeared to be a
May. Coppicing during monsoon and also sustainable source of raw materials, and that
during winter months gives poor results [18]. with the availability of technical and financial
Agar in Agro-Forestry assistance and an opportunity for expansion of
market facilities the maximum benefit from this
Agar tree is suitable for growing on field highly promising industry could be secured.
boundaries and for dividing whole plot into sub-
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Management Practices in Bangladesh

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Citation: S. Ali and M.A. Kashem, “An overview on Growth and Development of Agar Plant (Aquilaria
malaccensis Roxb) Through Management Practices in Bangladesh”, International Journal of Research in
Agriculture and Forestry, 6(7), 2019, pp 6-11.
Copyright: © 2019 S Ali. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative
Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any
medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

11 International Journal of Research in Agriculture and Forestry V6 ● I7 ● 2019