Sandalwood, a perfume of prosperity. Part 2 - plantations.

Abstract

A description is given, with colour photograph illustrations, of silvicultural practices for sandalwood (Santalum album and S. austrocaledonicum) plantation management in the Pacific region, particularly New Caledonia and the Cook Islands, where trial plantations have been established. Seed collection, storage and germination are outlined. Host plants for nursery propagation of Santalum spp. are recommended, such as Alternanthera spp., Desmanthus virgatus and Crotalaria juncea. At age 6 months, seedlings can be planted out. Test plantation sites on cleared land (cross-ripping and ploughing) or in cleared rows within bush vegetation (or following slash and burn operations) were established. A variety of host trees have been planted with sandalwood, such as Acacia spirorbis, A. auriculiformis, Paraserianthes falcataria and Sesbania grandiflora. Sandalwood trees respond well to application of lime. Pruning of bushy growth encourages the development of a straight stem. Stem growth in the plantations was about 4 cm/yr at ages 0 to 15 yr, 2.5 cm/yr between ages 15 and 30 yr, and 1 to 1.5 cm/yr after age 30 years. The Pacific region is still free of spike disease (caused by a mycoplasma-like organism), which in India causes extensive damage to both naturally growing and plantation sandalwood trees.