Cultivation

Selection of Plants

Selection of planting material is a very improtant step. The seedlings should be of minimum 1-1.5 feet height with brown coloured stem.

Land preparation for planting

Pits of size 2X2X2 feet should be dug at an escapement of 10X10 feet. These pits should be kept open for one week. Later 10-15kgs of FYM should be added along with 10kgs of Phorate (Thimet) and 10-15g of Carbendazim (Bavistin) per pit. Selected seedlings should be planted later. Sandalwood plants are hemi root parasite and requore a suitable host plant to achieve desirable growth. The recommended host plants at the time of planting are redgram, sesbenia and drumstick. Tree species like casuarina, pongamia, Melia dubia, rosewood, amla, cassia, red snaders, etc., are recommended as permanent host plants.

Fertilization

Second application of FYM may be given six months after the planting @15-20kgs per seedling. along with FYM 500g of de-oiled neem powder may be applied per plant. Application of inorganic fertilizer may be done as per the schedule.



Sl. No. After planting NPK
1. 6 months after 50gms
2. 12 months 100gms
3. 18 months 150gms
4. 24 months 200gms
5. 30 months 250gms
6. 3 years 250gms


Irrigation

Flood irrigation is recommended immediately after planting; drip irrigation is also suitable. Initially, for up to one month the seedlings require 7-8 litres of water per day. Irrigation also depends on the type of soil. Well drained lateritic, sandy and sandy loam soils require frequent irrigation. NPK can be applied directly or can be dissolved in water and apply to each plant.

Plant protection

Damping-off, vascular wilt and powdery mildew diseases occur commonly in nurseries, especially during mnsoon and cloudy weather. As these diseases can rapidly cause severe morality in the nurseries, continues monitoring for the symptoms and prophylactic measures need to be adopted. Copper-oxy-chloride @2g per liter or Carbendazim @1g per liter of water may be applied at monthly interval. Wood borers damage the heartwood and cause economic losses. In drier areas damage by termites generally noticed. In addition sap sucking insects, which sporadically occur, can cause moderate damage. The plantations should be regularly monitored and inspected for symptoms of damage. Expert advice may be sought for their management.

Harvest

Heartwood formation and the rate of expansion depends upon planting material, method of cultivation, soil and climatic conditions. Sandalwood trees of 15 to 20 years generally contain economically viable heartwood. However, a preliminary assessment of the heartwood proportion and oil content may be carried out before taking a decision on harvesting. The assessment will be necessary to determine the quality and quantity of the yield.

Sandalwood Cultivation

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Soil

Sandalwood can grow in all types of well drained soils but preferably in red laterite, sandy loam, gneiss, quartz and sand mixed black soils. The soil should be moderately deep with good drainage. The pH of the soil should be 5.5-8.5

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Climate

Sandalwood grows well in hot climate between 15 degrees C and 24 degrees C, with 600-1500mm rainfall per annum. The best growth is achieved in the range of 20 degress C - 38 degrees C temperature.

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Seed Collection

The seeds can be collected from known superior populations of mature (more than 10 years old) trees. Ripened, purple coloured fruits should be collected and soaked in water for 24 hours before rubbing to remove the pulp before drying under shade.

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Facts

  • The pH of the Soil should be 5.5-8.5
  • Grows in hot climate 15 degrees C to 42 degree C
  • The seedlings should be of minimum 1-1.5 feet
  • FYM may be given 6 months after planting @15-20 kgs per seedling
  • For upto 1 month seedlings require 7-8 litres of water per day

contact

  • +91 9154020565

  • Survey No. 290, Khanapur Village, Rajendra Nagar Mandal,

    CBIT Post, R.R. Dist., Hyd, Telangana - 500075

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