Initial growth performance of agar (Aquilaria malaccensis) plantations at public and private sectors in Bangladesh

Abstract

The study was undertaken to determine the growth performance of Agar plantations (Aquilaria malaccensis Lamk.) at Forest Department (Harbang, Borduara and Fasiakhali) and private sector (Barlekha of Maulvibazar) plantations in Bangladesh. The study was conducted during January to June, 2016. Simple random sampling method was followed to collect data from 40 sample plots (20 m x 20 m) of 12-16 years old plantations. The results showed that the cylindrical volume increment was highest (19.19 m 3 /ha/yr) in 16 years old agar plantations at Barlekha. The mean annual increment in height (m) was also highest (0.92 m/yr) at Barlekha and the mean annual diameter increment (cm) was highest (1.12 cm/yr) in the 12 years old plantation at Harbang. The highest basal area (17.98 m 2 /ha) was found at Barlekha. The cylindrical volume (per hectare) of Harbang, Borduara, Fasiakhali and Barlekha were 72.59 m 3 , 161.18 m 3 , 148.75 m 3 and 307.08 m 3 respectively and the stems per hectare were 468, 975, 968 and 960 respectively for the same plantation sites. As it has favorable climatic condition for agar plantation, the Forest Department (FD) can raise agar plantations in denuded and encroached forest areas of Bangladesh. People participation in agar plantation and development of small entrepreneurship may improve the livelihood of the local farmers.

Inclusive Scenario of Natural Products Obtained From Agar Plant (Aquilaria SP.) In Bangladesh- A Review

“…Essential oils are extracted from healthy or artificially injured plants using this method. At first, wood containing resin were chopped into wood chips and then soaked into water for 10-12 days (Hossen and Hossain 2016). After this, the soaked chips were taken out, shattered and pounded manually or in machine.…”

“…After oil vaporization, condensation occurred in distillation pipe (condenser) (Xiaojin et al 2017). The extracted liquid is a mixture of oil and water is settled on water in collection pot (Hossen and Hossain 2016). Essential oils are easily separable from water and siphoned off for being water insoluble.…”

“…A flow chart showing agar oil extraction process is given at Fig. 4 (Chen et al 2013, Hossen and Hossain 2016, Hoque et al 2018.…”

Documenting the Constraints and Its Allied Factors in Agar (Aquilaria malaccensis Roxb.) Tree Cultivation at Farm Level: A Case Study in Bangladesh

“…Although agar is in high demand in both national and international markets, governments or NGOs in Bangladesh have not yet implemented any major expansion programs [19]. Though there is a huge prospect of Agar production in Bangladesh, there are some problems during cultivation and marketing; which are essential to be addressed to increase the production.…”

“…Though there is a huge prospect of Agar production in Bangladesh, there are some problems during cultivation and marketing; which are essential to be addressed to increase the production. We must ensure the quality and market of the agar we produce because it is a high-value non-timber forest product [19].The aim of the study was to explore the constrains facing in agar tree production.…”