Integrative pathophysiology of agarwood formation: from fungal entry to metabolite accumulation

Agarwood, a highly valued aromatic resin derived primarily from Aquilaria species, is formed through a complex process triggered by biotic and abiotic stresses, particularly fungal infections. Natural formation is rare and slow, prompting growing interest in artificial induction using fungal inoculation. This review explores the role of fungi in agarwood biosynthesis, detailing the mechanisms by which fungal invasion and host responses converge to deposit secondary metabolites, through oxidative stress, phytohormonal signaling, and metabolic programming in Aquilaria trees. Emphasis is placed on fungal strains and method employed to artificially induced agarwood formation in different Aquilaria species, and factors which can possibly influence the efficacy of fungal inoculations. By demonstrating the future directions and current research limitation, this article provides an understanding needed for the development of standardized, sustainable agarwood induction strategies and highlights the potential of fungal-based approaches to support conservation and commercial production.