Establishment of Callus and Suspension Culture ofAquilaria microcarpa Baill. using Leaf Explant

Aquilaria microcarpa BailL is the resin impregnated heartwood, a genus which belongs taxonomically to the Thymelaeaceae family. Agarwood is highly valuable for its oil (Gaharu) which used produce medicine, perfume and incense. Besides that, the high value of gaharu makes it become the good choice for collection and investment among local and overseas traders. However, over harvesting, illegal logging and overexploitation of gaharu from the forest is posing a threat to the gaharu-producing species. Therefore, various efforts have been taken to increases the plantlet of Aquilaria spp. through germination. The seed of Aquilaria have low viability and poor germination; hence, tissue culture technique is used as an alternative way to overcome this problem. In this study, 3 years old potted seedling that raised at greenhouse of UNIMAS was used. Besides that, in vitro plantlet of A. microcarpa from previous study were maintained in Plant Tissue Culture (PTC) Laboratory, Faculty of Resourses Science and Technology, UNIMAS were used to induce callus. The best protocol of surface sterilization was obtained by using 15% of Clorox with 15 minutes oftime exposure. This protocol was later used in the induction of callus. In callus induction, effect of different concentration 2, 4-0 and different combination of 2, 4-0, BAP, NAA, Kinetin were studied. The callus was successfully established in solid MS media supplemented with 2.0 mgIL 2,4-0 alone and also combination of 0.5 mglL BAP incorporated with 3.0 mglL NAA. While, in MS liquid media, combination of 400 mgIL Casein hydrolysate with 2.0 mglL and 0.5 mglL BAP gave high production of callus biomass with 0.30g of fresh weight. To minimize the browning effect of the callus, regular subculture to new media is recommended