Colonization vs Over-Infection Balance in Agarwood Induction – The Key to Healthy Trees and High-Quality Resin
Agarwood formation relies on controlled microbial activity. The goal is colonization, not uncontrolled infection.
Managing this balance is essential for tree survival, resin quality, and predictable yields.
1. What Is Colonization?
Colonization is a symbiotic or controlled interaction between Aquilaria and the inoculated microorganisms (e.g., Fusarium, Harmonia fungal consortia).
Characteristics:
- Microbes remain localized at inoculation points
- The tree recognizes them as a manageable threat
- Defense pathways are activated gradually
- Resin accumulates without damaging vascular integrity
BarIno™ Goal: Achieve sufficient fungal presence to trigger defense without overwhelming the tree.
2. What Is Over-Infection?
Over-infection occurs when microbial growth exceeds the tree’s ability to control it.
Characteristics:
- Microbes spread beyond target inoculation points
- Excessive tissue necrosis and vascular blockage
- Defense response collapses
- Resin formation is poor or absent
- Tree mortality risk increases
Causes:
- Excessive inoculant dosage
- Too many inoculation points
- Poor sanitation introducing wild pathogens
- Induction during unfavorable physiological or seasonal conditions
3. The Colonization–Over-Infection Spectrum
| Feature | Colonization (Optimal) | Over-Infection (Risk) |
|---|---|---|
| Fungal growth | Localized | Widespread |
| Tree response | Healthy defense | Stress overload |
| Resin formation | Dense, aromatic | Sparse or absent |
| Survival | High | Low |
| Required management | Standard BarIno™ protocol | Emergency measures |
4. BarIno™ Control Measures
A. Dosage Calibration
- Apply DBH-based inoculant volumes
- Avoid “overcrowding” the trunk or multiple trees simultaneously
B. Inoculation Point Management
- Limit number of wounds per tree
- Place points according to trunk size and sap flow
- Stagger inoculation across multiple cycles
C. Microbial Selection
- Use verified BarIno™ strains only (FusaPrime™, Harmonia™)
- Avoid introducing wild fungi from other trees
D. Environmental Monitoring
- Soil moisture, sap flow, and seasonal timing affect colonization success
- High humidity or stagnant water increases over-infection risk
E. Sequential Induction
- Phase products (AgarStart™, FusaPrime™, FusaTrinity™, FusaBlaze™) to allow controlled microbial growthbefore amplification
5. Visualizing the Balance
Colonization (Optimal)
[Tree] ← localized fungal activity → [Defense activated] → [Resin deposition]
Over-Infection (Excess)
[Tree] ← uncontrolled fungal growth → [Defense overwhelmed] → [Tissue necrosis / tree death]
Think of it as “just enough stimulus to wake the tree, not enough to drown it.”
6. Farmer-Friendly Guidelines
- Only inoculate mature, healthy trees (DBH and sap flow compliant)
- Follow product sequencing strictly
- Limit number of wounds and inoculant volume per tree
- Monitor wound healing and sap response
- Remove or quarantine trees showing signs of uncontrolled infection
7. BarIno™ Principle
Controlled colonization produces high-grade agarwood; over-infection destroys the investment.
The art of resin induction lies in managing microbial load and timing, not applying more fungus.