The study aimed to explore the effects of different methods on the formation of aromatic substances in xylem for Aquilaria sinensis, and provide theoretical guidance for improving and optimizing the technologies of agarwood induction. Three treatments of drill hole、red-hot iron drill bit and solutions of Melanotus flavolivens and a control (CK) treatment were conducted on A. sinensis trees, xylem samples were collected 12 months after the treatments, the discoloration range and contents of starch and soluble sugars at xylem part were tested. Furthermore, alcohol soluble extracts were extracted with 95% ethyl alcohol and agarotetrol as well as main aromatic substances components were determined. The results showed that: (1) the largest discoloration range at xylem part was observed on treatment of M. flavolivens solutions, where the discoloration range could reach 120 in longitudinal and 3.84 cm in horizontal directions. Though the longitudinal discoloration range could exceed 120 cm for the other two treatments, the largest horizontal discoloration ranges were only 0.58 cm and 1.06 cm, respectively. (2) The starch contents in xylem of the three treatments were significantly lower than that of CK (P<0.05), the decreased amount ranged from 24.82% to 55.25%. The soluble sugar contents of M. flavolivens solutions and red-hot iron drill bit treatments were significantly higher than that of CK, while significant difference was absent between drill hole and CK treatments. (3) The contents of alcohol soluble extracts were 11.84%, 13.26% and 21.08% for the treatments of drill hole、red-hot iron drill bit and solutions of M. flavolivens. It was significantly higher than that of CK. The agarotetrol contents of the three treatments were 0.18%, 0.26% and 0.42%, respectively, and no agarotetrol was detected in CK. (4) There were 29, 33 and 36 aromatic substances in the A. sinensis of drill hole、red-hot iron drill bit and solutions of M.flavolivens treatments, respectively.The main components mainly include chromone and its derivatives, agarospirol, guaiol, aromadendrene, benzylacetone, dihydrokaranone, kusunol, α-santalol and nonanal. A. sinensis trees with injection of M. flavolivens solutions could induce the largest discoloration range, increase the contents of starch and soluble sugars and be beneficial for the accumulation of agarotetrol and aromatic substances.