Germination and seedling ecology of santalum album 1
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Date
2000-12-16
Authors
Etampawala, E. R. L. B.
Tennakoon, K. U.
Gunatilake, C. V. S.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Peradeniya
Abstract
Santalum album (Sandalwood) is an economically important obligate woody root hemiparasitic tree naturalized in the wet and intermediate climatic zones of Sri Lanka. In recent years, there has been a rising interest in planting Sandalwood in Sri Lanka due to high domestic and international demand for the a and ~ Santalol oil obtained from the heartwood.
Santalol is used for the preparation of expensive perfumes, cosmetics, and medicines. This study examines the germination and seedling ecology of S. album. Twenty seven randomly selected trees in three populations growing in the intermediate zone of Sri Lanka were sampled (3 randomly selected plants/plot/ population) to study the fruit and seed variations. The seed germination study included seven treatments and two replicates (36 seeds/replicate). The best substratum for the pre-parasitic Sandalwood was identified by growing seedlings in three potting mixtures containing sand, top soil and farm yard manure in the ratio of 2: I :1, 3: 1:0, and 1:): I respectively. The experiment included three treatments, three blocks, two replicates, and 20 seedlings/replicate. To evaluate the best pot-host species, one-month-old Sandalwood seedlings were grown in polythene bags, with five potential host species separately and without the host species as a control. The experiment comprised five treatments and a control, three blocks, two replicates, and 10seedlings/replicate. Fruit length, width, and seed length of Santalum varied significantly (p<O.OOI) among the three populations thus suggesting the size of reproductive structures is dependent on environment.
Seeds treated with 750ppm gibberelic acid showed the highest (>80%) germination rate. Seedlings grown in equal parts of sand, soil, and farm yard manure showed a significantly higher (p<O. 00 1) height, root collar diameter, and number of leaves compared to those grown in the other potting mixtures, indicating that pre-parasitic Sandalwood seedlings can obtain nutrients from the growing medium in addition to the original seed reserves. As the seedling performance of S. album was significantly higher (p<O.OI) with Mimosa pudica and lithonia diversifolia compared to remaining hosts, they can be recommended as suitable pot hosts for Sandalwood
Description
Keywords
Seedling , ecology Germination
Citation
Proceedings and Abstract of the Annual Research Sessions, December 16, 2000, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka pp 196