Industries · Emerging
Sandalwood
Tissue culture propagation of Santalum spicatum (Australian sandalwood) and Santalum album (Indian sandalwood) for high-value oil and heartwood plantations in Australia.
Research basis. AgriFutures Australia has previously published on the Australian sandalwood industry, noting Western Australia as a globally significant supplier of Australian sandalwood oil, with large plantation programmes established for both S. spicatum and S. album. See AgriFutures emerging industries.
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).