Seedling survival and growth of Aquilaria malaccensis in different microclimatic conditions of northeast India

We studied seedling survival and growth ofAquilaria malaccensis in three different environmental conditions （homegardens, green house and in different canopy conditions） of northeast India. Results show that mean seasonal survival was highest in green house （95.53%±2.33）, followed by homegardens （89.3%±1.89） and different canopy conditions （77.62%±6.73）; the highest values were found during February to April for both the homegardens （96%±1.68） and green house （98% ± 0.88） and lowest during November to January （78%±2.99） in homegardens and May to July （90%：t：4.53） in green house. In case of transplanted seedlings in different canopy conditions, mean seasonal survival was highest during May to July （98%±1.92） and lowest during August to October （66%±12.81）. However, mean seasonal growth of collar diameter was highest in different canopy conditions （23.99%±1.76） compared to green house （21.52%±2.70） and homegardens （12.44%±1.33） and it was highest during rainy season （May to July） and lowest during dry winter （November to January） in all the three experi- mental sites. These variations may be due to the different microclimatic conditions as well as nutrient status of the soil in all the three experimen- tal sites. Although, seedling quality plays a great role in their survival and growth, based on the result of green house experiment, it can be concluded that maintenance of seedlings in green house conditions during their early growth period may improve both the survival and growth for large scale plantation of the species. Thus, the species can be reintroduced in its natural forest range to compensate the loss of natural population of this precious species in northeast India.

Identification of chemical compounds in agarwood-producing species Aquilaria malaccensis and Gyrinops versteegii

Agarwood is a non-timber forest product found in tropical rain forests.It is a black and fragrant resin valued for the perfume industry and demand continues to increase.However,the Indonesian agarwood-producing species,Aquilaria malaccensis and Gyrinops versteegii do not automatically produce such quality resin.Bio-induction technology or inoculation using Fusarium solani is usually applied to these species to trigger resin production.This research aims to identify agarwood compounds formed in seedlings and trees of A.malaccensis and G.versteegii after these species were inoculated with the fungus F.solani.The chemical compounds were identified by comparing the patterns of mass spectra fragmentation in the sample and in previous studies.Five groups of agarwood compounds were identified:(1)sesquiterpen group-cisjasmone and aromadendrenepoxide;(2)chromones group-8-methoxy-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromen-4-one and newly-discovered chromone derivative,7-(benzyloxy)-5-hydroxy-2-methylchromone found only in G.versteegii;(3)aromatic group-benzylacetone,guaiacol,p-ethylguaiacol,phenol,syringaldehyde,vanilin,furfuryl alcohol,and furfural;(4)fatty acid group-palmitic acid,oleic acid,and lauric acid;and,(5)triterpen group-squalene.