Technology Package for Raising Sandal Plantations
from Quality Planting Material (QPM) Stock of
Sandalwood Seedlings
Nature of technology
Santalum album is a commercially important species for its oil and medicinal properties.
IWST has developed cost effective package of practice for raising model sandal plantations
with horticultural species as secondary host from Quality planting material (QPM) stock of
sandal seedlings raised in IWST nursery and is disseminating this complete technology
package to end users/stakeholders.
A. Process in brief
Introduction :
Sandal (Santalum album L. or East Indian sandalwood) can be considered as one of the
world’s most valuable commercial timber. The species is quite hardy, can grow in dry and
degraded lands and over a variety of soils, it has potential to grow in combination with
horticultural species as secondary hosts. Sandalwood (Santalum album L.) is commercially
valued globally for heartwood and oil. Indian sandal (Santalum album L) is considered best
and is highly prized for its superior quality oil. Current value of heartwood is Rs.3500-
5000/kg in India. International prices are 20% higher and in excess of Rs 1,00,000/kg for
sandal oil. Sapwood finds utilization in carving and turnery and is recognized as one of the
finest woods for carving. Due to over exploitation the species has been categorized as
vulnerable by International Union for Conservation of Nature. Government policies have
been relaxed to revive this important species in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu which are the
main sandalwood growing states have been initiated in 2001 and 2002. Seeing its huge
potential, other states have also shown keen interest in establishing sandalwood plantations.
There is an increasing demand for the seedlings of this species over the past 5-6 years from
all over India, but there is lack of a complete package of practices for growing sandalwood
which includes raising of QPM of sandal and establishment of sandal plantations with
secondary hosts at appropriate spacing. This has been standardized in IWST and the complete
package is ready for dissemination.
Present status
This tree is found in dry deciduous forests of Deccan plateau of India to an extent of about
9000 km2 and the states of Karnataka and TamilNadu alone account for 8200 km2
of natural
sandalwood forests. It is also though found in Kerala, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa,
Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Manipur. Due to over exploitation the species has been categorized
as vulnerable by International Union for Conservation of Nature. Government policies have
been relaxed to revive this important species in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu which are the
main sandalwood growing states have been initiated in 2001 and 2002. Seeing its huge
potential other states have also shown keen interest in establishing sandalwood plantations.
There is an increasing demand for the seedlings of this species over the past 5-6 years and
National Medicinal Plant Board through its subsidiary state medicinal boards has initiated
various schemes to promote sandal cultivation.
Potential of the species
Sandal is a suitable candidate for dry land agriculture areas and in agroforestry systems like
silvi-horticulture, since
- • It is quite hardy • Can be grown in combination with horticultural species as secondary hosts
- • Not demanding in respect of nutrients and moisture
- • Can grow in dry and degraded lands
- • Grows over a variety of soils
- • Even if browsed and hacked it recovers quickly
- • Can profusely produce root suckers
- • Even the sapwood will yield considerable earnings (for agarbatti making and handicrafts)
The problem
The potential of the tree in existing farming or horticultural systems for improving livelihood
and creating employment opportunities and enhancing farm incomes is quite huge. However,
availability of Quality planting material (QPM) of sandal from known sources is one the main
bottle neck hampering its wide scale cultivation. Traditional methods of preparing potting
mixture and sowing in standard size polybags do not work for raising sandal seedlings since
it is a hemi-parasite. Standardization of nursery technology for raising good quality seedlings
of sandalwood becomes necessary in such a scenario.
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