A useful pathological condition of wood

Abstract

A fungus known asCytosphaera mangiferae Died, was isolated for the first time from the diseased tissues of standing trees ofAquilaria agallocha Roxb. Irregular patches of diseased wood, a result of natural infection, are found in the trunks of standingA. agallocha trees, which are of great economic importance. A fragrant perfume locally known as ‘attar’ is obtained from the diseased wood by steam distillation. Incomplete or partially diseased wood is employed in the preparation of a joss-stick locally known as ‘agarbatee,’ which gives out fragrant fumes on burning. The fungus colonised wood blocks of A agallocha when these were inoculated artificially. There is a possibility of commercial exploitation for the production of diseased wood by artificial infection.