Risk Management in Agarwood Induction: Necrosis Prevention – Protecting Tree Health While Maximizing Resin Yield
Necrosis (localized tissue death) is a major risk during agarwood induction, especially when combining biotic and abiotic stressors. Proper management ensures high-quality resin formation without compromising tree survival.
1. Causes of Necrosis in Agarwood
- Excessive biotic load: Over-inoculation with Fusarium or fungal consortiums
- Over-application of chemical/abiotic products: High concentrations of AgarStart™ or ResinRush™
- Poor spacing: Inoculation points too close → stress overlap
- Incorrect depth: Too deep → vascular core damage; too shallow → weak colonization → secondary infections
- Environmental stress: Extreme drought, poor sap flow, or seasonal extremes
2. Preventive Strategies
A. Controlled Inoculation
- Use DBH-based spacing and depth guidelines
- Avoid excessive point density; follow BarIno™ recommended points per DBH class
- Stagger inoculations to prevent overlapping stress zones
B. Product Sequencing
- Start with AgarStart™ alone in younger trees or stressed trees
- Proceed to FusaPrime™ and FusaTrinity™ only when early indicators are positive
- Apply FusaBlaze™ / ResinRush™ for densification after resin formation is established
C. Tree Health Assessment
- Confirm cambial vitality (bright green, elastic, active sap)
- Ensure moisture status and sap flow are adequate before inoculation
- Delay or reduce induction if tree shows leaf drop, wilting, or water stress
D. Environmental & Seasonal Considerations
- Avoid induction during extreme dry or wet seasons
- Use irrigation or shading if necessary to moderate environmental stress
- Monitor for secondary fungal infections if conditions are too wet
3. Monitoring & Intervention
| Indicator | Risk Level | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Dark necrotic patches | High | Remove inoculant; allow recovery; avoid further treatment in area |
| Excess sap exudation / watery sap | Moderate | Reduce chemical load in next phase; monitor closely |
| Leaf wilting / cambium browning | High | Halt induction; apply tree care measures (watering, pruning, shading) |
| Mild resin discoloration / sap thickening | Low | Continue monitoring; proceed to next phase as planned |
4. Emergency Measures
- Prune damaged tissue without exposing deeper xylem
- Apply mild antifungal or protective treatment if secondary infection occurs
- Document all incidences to refine DBH-based spacing, depth, and product dosing
5. Farmer-Friendly Summary
- Necrosis is preventable with proper timing, spacing, product sequencing, and monitoring
- Follow DBH-based inoculation rules and observe early resin indicators
- Healthy cambium + controlled induction = high-density resin, minimal tree risk
6. BarIno™ Principle
Controlled stress, careful sequencing, and active monitoring prevent necrosis.
Safety first: a healthy tree produces denser, higher-quality resin over time.