Sandalwood

The species

Sandalwood is the common name for species of Santalum, trees valued for their aromatic heartwood and essential oil. Australian sandalwood (S. spicatum) is native to Western Australia, and Indian sandalwood (S. album) is grown commercially in the Kimberley and the Northern Territory.

Why tissue culture is useful

Sandalwood species are hemi-parasitic, drawing water and nutrients from the roots of host plants. This adds a layer of complexity to propagation but does not prevent tissue culture of the sandalwood itself — the host plant partnership is established at the nursery or field stage. Tissue culture of sandalwood enables clonal propagation of trees selected for heartwood quality and oil profile, and supports long-horizon plantation decisions where seedling variability is an economic risk.

• Clonal propagation of selected S. spicatum and S. album genotypes
• Clean, disease-tested planting material
• Supports long-horizon plantation investment decisions

References

• AgriFutures Australia. Our industries (emerging and established).