SANDALWOOD
(santalum album L.)
Family : Santalaceae
Sandalwood is a highly valued aromatic plant with increasing demand. It
is a small evergreen plant with slender branches up to 6m in height. Softwood
is white and the heartwood is yellowish brown and strongly scented. On steam
distillation of this heartwood Sandalwood oil is obtained that is widely used
in perfumery, cosmetic and drug industries.
SOIL AND CLIMATE :
Sandalwood tree is adapted to a wide variety of soils with pH ranging
from 4.5 to 5.5 with area temperature ranging from 5 to 50 degree Celsius. It
is not region specific and can adapt to different environmental condition. The
plantation-grown trees with irrigation and fertilization perform exceedingly
well compared to natural forest condition. It grows on clay to sandy loam soil.
The trees grown on poor soils, particularly on stony or gravelly soil, don’t
attain such large dimensions, but produce more highly scented wood, giving a
better yield of oil. Naturally it has been found to grow in Deccan plateauat an
altitude of 600 to 1050m, with annual rainfall of 600 to 1000 mm. which is
considered ideal for this species. The formation of heartwood seems to be best
at between 600 to 900 m altitude.
PLANTING TIME :
Ideal time of is May- june with the onset of monsoon. But if proper
irrigation facility is available, can be planted throughout the year.
SPACING :
15 feet plant to plant and 13 feet row to row, permanent host plant 7.5
feet to 7.5 feet. About 216 sandalwood plants may be accommodated per acre.
PLANTING :
Pits of 45 cm x 45 cm x 45 cm size are dug at 15 feet x 13 feet distance and should be left for
15-20 days exposing to sunlight. FYM is applied before planting. This is done
during April-May.
CULTURAL OPERATION ON PLANTATION :
Soil working is to be done to a radius of 50 cm once in a six months.
Host plants tending to overgrow sandal plants are pruned. Climber cutting is
necessary as and when required. Adequate protection against fire and grazing by
way of fencing the area is necessary either by barbed wire or chain mesh.
Replacement may be done during the second planting season.
AFTER CARE :
After 4 months of planting when the saplings are well established,
organic manure like vermicompost of FYM @ 2 kg/ plant is applied and mixed with
the soil around crown of the plant. For quick initial growth watering may be
done at 15-20 days interval during winter and 8-9 days during summer. Manuring
for 3rd time may be done after 8-9 months of planting @ 3-4 kg FYM/Plant.
Thereafter , manuring twice per year before and after monsoon along with light
earthing up @ 4-5 kg FYM/plant each time may be done. Regular weeding and
hoeing in between are also necessary. The plant attains a height of 4-5 feet,
in the year and about 8-10 feet in the second year following this treatment.
From 5th year onward the planting starts regular seep production.
From 10th year one plant produces about 2-3 kg seds per year. Timely
irrigation, fertilizer application, soil working, pruning and inducing stress
are the important criteria for better and healthy growth of sandalwood plant
and heartwood formation.
Heartwood formation:
Sandalwood is harvested for its rich heartwood and fragrant oil. The
formation and development of heartwood depends on age, growth, soil and
rainfall. Genetic factor also seem to play an important role. Heartwood is
contained within the trunk, root and major branches. The heartwood formation in
sandalwood is found to start from 5 years of age onwards. Investigation
revealed that host influences heartwood formation in addition to growth and
development.
Harvesting:
The Sandalwood plants are progressively harvested between the ages of
10 to 15 years. Expected production of heartwood per tree at the end of 15
years. Expected production of heartwood per tree at the end of 15 years would
be about 15 to 40kgs. Harvesting at this age is much more economical and
commercially viable. The root is also scented and richest in oil contents.
Therefore, harvesting is done by uprooting the tree and not by just cutting
above the ground surface. Harvesting is usually done during monsoon dry period
invariably.
Risk Factor:
All Medicinal and Aromatic plants depend on nature, soil and climatic
condition.
RETURN AFTER 10 YEARS:
Total number of Sandalwood Plant per acre =216 Nos.
Less per Acre @ 15% (32 Nos.) Mortality = 216Nos.-32 Nos.
=184Nos.
Assuming Heartwood formation per tree after 10 years =20Kg.
Total Heartwood formation per Acre After Less Mortality
= 20Kg x 184 Nos.
=3680 Kg.
Expected Sale Value After 10 years =Rs. 1500 per kg x 3680 Kg
=Rs.55,20,000.00
(Expected Sale
Value-Expenditure) =
54,69,360.00
Rs. 55,20,000.00- Rs. 50,640.00
Expected Return =Rs.
54, 69,360.00
Seeds of Sandalwood also salable per year Rs.1000/- per kg
After 3 years seeds are start coming.
Grown up sandalwood trees may be harvested after 10 years
Other sources of Income: By cultivating Patchouli, Stevia etc. as inter-crop
with sandalwood plants additional income may be obtained.
For Details Project report, Technical guidance and best verity planting materials please contact : 09854093470
