Agarwood also known as Oud has been extensively used for making several valuable products over decades. Agarwood is a resinous heartwood that naturally occurs in the Aquilaria trees that commonly grow in the Himalayan foothills of South Asia and in the rainforest of Papua New Guinea. Though Aquilaria tree, the most important source of agarwood is commonly found in countries such as India, Malaysia, and Thailand, its globally increasing demand makes agarwood farming the choice of many people these days.
Agarwood Plantation
Since the Agarwood tree can grow on a wide range of soil and under diverse conditions, cultivation of this valuable incense has not been a concern for farmers. Agarwood tree is planted mainly during the beginning of rainy season. Agar is mainly formed inside the trunk or root of the tree when it gets infected by Phaeoacremonium parasitic fungus. The precious resin formed is a result of the tree's natural defense mechanism during the fungal infection. This resin often referred to as Oud or agarwood, is the major component in the fragrances. In oud plantation, the planter would inject artificial inducer into the xylem of the tree for the early production of Agarwood. The interesting fact is that natural resin that usually forms after around ten years can be done in a short period of time with the help of this inoculation technique. Resinous wood will be formed in the roots, trunks, and branches of the tree after a few months. During the harvest time, to extract resin, the root will be dug out and the trunk part will be cut down 20 cm above the ground. The resins can then be separated from the white unaffected wood of the tree.
Agarwood Uses
Agarwood, the resinous wood formed in Aquilaria tree is used as incense, for extracting essential oil, medicinal purposes as well as a perfume ingredient. The precious agarwood traced back thousands of years has an interesting history and is used for treating respiratory disorders and in traditional Chinese medicines. Agarwood can also be carved into beads, sculptures, and boxes. Whether for agarwood chips, medicine, oil or fragrances, the agarwood market is growing rapidly.
If you are planning to do agarwood plantation, then you should do some research to get an expert opinion regarding Oud plantation. we are the leading Agarwood product manufacturers in India can help you with Agarwood tree cultivation and things you need to consider before engaging in agar production.
Agarwood is the most expensive agro-product in the world that is used to make lots of products such as essential oils, herbal teas, agarwood chips and tablets for incense and also accessories.
Being used in natural medicines, the agarwood oil is called as the liquid gold.
An idea of its value can be acquired by knowing a simple fact, that pure agarwood is very rare and costs more than gold, diamonds and even platinum. However, nothing is impossible and to make the impossible process of finding pure fragrant agarwood, the Agarwood Plantations in Kerala are being done.
Actually the heartwood of the tree is otherwise non-fragrant. When it is infected by the fungus, the tree produces resinous substance that is heavenly fragrant and comes with loads of health benefits. Now, in the plantations, the trees are grown and then injected with the fungus. This process is done when the trees are 5 years old and is called as the artificial inoculation.
Once the infection has set-in, the resinous deposition takes place gradually that brings huge monetary returns.
In case you are still sceptical of making a decision, then please know that agarwood tea and oils are the most expensive ones in the whole world and are consumed across the globe for various purposes.
The production methodology of the Agarwood doesn't disturb the nature or the ecosystem in any manner.
There are three methods of artificial inoculation at the Agarwood Plantations in Kerala namely – F02P (Pasting), F12S (Sticking) and F07D (Drilling and Injecting).
Once the fungus is set-in, the fungus spreads to the larger wood volume and the tree wound changes from brown to dark brown which means that the process of infection is going on. The complete process of the agarwood generation in deep trunk takes 4 to 5 years to complete.
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