White sandalwood

White sandalwood (Latin: Santalum album L.) is a medium-sized evergreen tree belonging to the Santalaceae family. It is globally recognized as one of the most valuable trees in the world, prized for its fragrant heartwood, which yields essential oil used extensively in perfumery, traditional medicine, and incense production.

Native to the tropical forests of India, Indonesia, and parts of Northern Australia, this species is uniquely classified as a root hemi-parasite. In its natural habitat, it thrives in dry deciduous forests, developing special root structures called haustoria that attach to the roots of neighboring host plants to extract nutrients and water for its growth.

Successful cultivation of sandalwood requires a tropical climate with well-defined wet and dry seasons. It flourishes in areas with moderate rainfall and temperatures ranging between 12°C and 35°C. Soil requirements are specific: the tree demands well-drained, porous soils such as red sandy loam or stony soils. It cannot survive in waterlogged conditions, which lead to root rot and mortality.

Agronomic management is distinct because of its parasitic habit. Farmers must interplant sandalwood with suitable host trees, such as Acacia or Casuarina species, to facilitate healthy growth. Managing the host tree density is critical; the host must provide nourishment without outcompeting the sandalwood for sunlight, necessitating regular pruning of the host's canopy.

The economic value of Santalum album is realized only after the tree matures, typically taking 15 to 20 years to produce sufficient heartwood. The crop is susceptible to pests like sap-sucking insects and termites. The most significant pathological threat is the sandalwood spike disease, a phytoplasma infection that causes bushy growth and progressive tree decline, requiring rigorous quarantine and management practices in commercial plantations.