PEMBENIHAN GAHARU IN VITRO

Many tree species have become the focus of increasing conservation concern in recent years, primarily because of the current high rates of forest clearance and over-exploitation (Newton et al., 1999). As an illustration, recent surveys have indicated that around 9000 tree species are threatened with extinction (Oldfield et al., 1998). Aquilaria agallocha (Thymelaeaceae) is one of very few species of tropical trees and is the principal source of agarwood, one of the most highly valuable forest products currently traded internationally. Agarwood (also known as aloeswood, eaglewood and gaharu, among many other common names) is a fragrant wood that has been traded since biblical times for use in religious functions and for medicinal and aromatic preparations. High consumer demand, particularly from Middle Eastern and Asian markets, combined with decreasing supply has pushed prices progressively higher to the extent that top grade agarwood can sell for over USD 10000/kg in end-use markets (Barden et al., 2000). A. sinensis was the traditional resource of agarwood in China dating from ancient times, but is now being replaced by agarwood from A. agallocha (named imported agarwood) in the market due to its better quality. Since the 15th century, agarwood has been collected and used as a drug in China. Studies revealed that agarwood has remarkable anticancer activity (Gunasekera et al., 1981). Benzene extractable compounds possess potent central nervous system antidepression activities (Okugawa et al., 1993; 1996), so agarofuran is considered as new promising nervous system drug (Chen, 1999). The normal propagation of A. agallocha by seed is difficult. Because the seeds’ moisture content is rapidly decreased during the first few hours/days, so the viability is lost rapidly. Furthermore, insect pests infestation often of the seed inhibits the growth of the tree (Su, 1994). The present study was undertaken to develop a reproducible protocol for in vitro micropropagation using shoot.