Sandalwood Cultivation and Management: For Prosperity and Ecosystem

Contents: Preface. 1. Significance of the plant Genus Santalum (Santalaceae) and their global distribution. 2. Indian sandalwood: the pride of India, its biological characteristics and uses. 3. Raising of healthy sandalwood nurseries. 4. Raising healthy plantation of Indian sandalwood. 5. Common disease of Indian sandalwood and their management. 6. Untold mystery of Sandal Spike Disease (SSD) and its effective management. 7. Phytophagous insects and their Natural Enemy Complexes Associated with Indian Sandalwood. 8. Pollinators of sandalwood and the ecosystem services. 9. Deterioration of sandalwood in trees and storage. 10. Tree improvement in Indian sandalwood. 11. Good silvicultural practices for the best health, growth and productivity of Indian sandalwood. 12. Challenges in the production and protection of Indian sandalwood. 13. Indian sandalwood grown in other countries. References. Index of genera and spices. General index.

The book describes every known species of the plant genus Santalum, discusses their potential for commercial use, and supports the claim that Indian sandalwood, Santalum album, is the best of all the species under Santalum. Following this, every facet of S. album is thoroughly covered, including the most recent evidence-based methods for choosing seeds, growing and maintaining healthy nurseries, maintaining plantations, improving tree quality, and harvesting and selling. For the first time, it placed a strong emphasis on good silvicultural practices, which maximize production and preserve the ecosystem services provided by the plantations by maintaining the health of plantations in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner. Recent developments in our understanding of how Sandal Spike Disease (SSD) spreads and strategies for dealing with it are included. It draws attention to the challenges faced by the growers in the production, protection, and trade of sandalwood. Also included cultivation status and performance of S. album in other countries outside India. All the chapters are supplemented with ample illustrations and figures. For sandalwood researchers and active sandalwood producers worldwide, these materials will be a ready reckoner. It will not only give people the confidence to cultivate S. album sustainably around the world, protecting this valuable bioresource, but it will also encourage the resurgence of sectors reliant on sandalwood and the international trade in sandalwood goods.