Agarwood is a symbol of rarity, beauty, and profound cultural heritage. Yet its future depends not on chance, but on science. As global demand increases and wild stocks decline, the world is turning to biotechnology to secure the sustainable growth of Aquilaria species for generations to come.
The Biotechnological Propagation Techniques (Tissue Culture & Organogenesis) of Agarwood™ course was created to cultivate a new wave of researchers, growers, and innovators capable of shaping that future.
This course illuminates the powerful intersection of plant biotechnology and high-value forestry, providing participants with scientific mastery over the most advanced propagation methods: micropropagation, callus induction, somatic embryogenesis, and organogenesis. Each step is designed to equip learners with the skills to regenerate genetically uniform, disease-free, fast-growing, and high-resin–potential planting materials.
Beyond technical skill, this program embodies a mission — to transform how the Philippines and the world cultivate agarwood. By enabling scalable and controlled propagation, tissue culture bridges the gap between conservation, commercial demand, and the ethical stewardship of endangered species.
Under the guidance of experts in plant physiology, biotechnology, and perfumery crop development, participants gain hands-on experience in sterile techniques, culture media formulation, explant preparation, growth regulation, and laboratory workflow design. They learn not just how to propagate agarwood, but how to integrate biotechnology into sustainable plantation systems and high-value aromatic supply chains.
This course empowers learners to become part of a scientific movement — a movement that protects biodiversity, strengthens agro-industrial futures, and advances the frontiers of natural products research.
The Biotechnological Propagation Techniques of Agarwood™ Course isn’t just training.
It is a gateway to innovation, conservation, and industry transformation.
It is where future labs begin, where future forests take root,
and where science becomes a bridge between heritage and possibility.
Grow the future. Propagate excellence. Shape the next generation of agarwood.
Duration: 3–5 days (can be modular)
Target Audience: Researchers, plantation managers, students, and entrepreneurs in agarwood cultivation
Mode: Hands-on laboratory + field demonstrations
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the biology and growth characteristics of Aquilaria spp.
- Apply micropropagation, organogenesis, and somatic embryogenesis techniques for clonal propagation.
- Use tissue culture protocols for high-resin genotype propagation.
- Optimize inoculation methods for sustainable agarwood production.
- Implement quality monitoring, harvest cycles, and resin induction protocols.
- Explore in vitro secondary metabolite production using callus and suspension cultures.
Module 1: Introduction to Aquilaria Biology & Resin Formation
- Taxonomy and distribution of Aquilaria spp.
- Anatomy of heartwood and resin zones
- Natural resin formation mechanisms
- Economic importance and conservation status
- Factors affecting resin yield and quality
Module 2: Basics of Plant Tissue Culture
- Principles of aseptic technique
- Explant selection and sterilization
- Culture media composition (MS, WPM, additives)
- Plant growth regulators and their roles (auxins, cytokinins, ABA)
- Culture conditions: light, temperature, humidity
Module 3: Micropropagation Techniques
- Nodal and meristem culture
- Shoot multiplication and rooting
- Acclimatization of in vitro plantlets
- Hands-on demonstration: nodal explant culture
Module 4: Organogenesis
- Direct vs. indirect organogenesis
- Callus induction protocols
- Shoot and root induction
- Applications in clonal propagation of high-resin genotypes
Module 5: Somatic Embryogenesis
- Definition and types (direct vs. indirect)
- Callus induction and embryogenic cultures
- Embryo maturation and germination
- Synthetic seed production for storage and transport
- Hands-on demonstration: somatic embryo induction from leaf or stem tissue
Module 6: Suspension & Callus Culture in Bioreactors
- Callus and cell suspension culture techniques
- Bioreactor systems: stirred-tank, air-lift, bubble column, temporary immersion
- Scale-up for secondary metabolite production
- Optimization of growth parameters (pH, aeration, inoculum density)
Module 7: Propagation of High-Resin Phenotypes
- Selection of elite trees via phenotyping, chemical profiling, and molecular markers
- Vegetative propagation: grafting, cuttings
- Micropropagation of high-resin genotypes
- Dual-action resin induction methods (MnO₂ + Fusarium blends)
Module 8: Applications & Commercialization
- Mass propagation for plantations
- Conservation of endangered Aquilaria species
- Commercial agarwood production and value chain considerations
- In vitro secondary metabolite production for fragrance and pharmaceutical use
Hands-on / Practical Sessions
- Explant sterilization and initiation
- Shoot multiplication and rooting in vitro
- Callus induction and somatic embryogenesis
- Preparation of fungal inoculum and dual-action resin formulations
- Field demonstration of wounding and inoculation techniques
- Resin monitoring and sample collection for chemical profiling
Learning Outcomes
Participants will be able to:
- Establish tissue culture protocols for Aquilaria spp.
- Clone elite, high-resin trees efficiently
- Apply dual-action resin induction methods in plantations
- Optimize sustainable inoculation and harvest cycles
- Monitor resin quality and manage plantation data for traceability