Santalum Album (Sandal )in Hyderabad State

Sandal has entered Hyderabad State from its southern zone-Dharwar district of Bombay State. It is confined to the north-western parts of the Marhatwada tracts of the State. Observations made so far indicate that Sandal of the State is free from Spike disease. Sandal occurring in areas which are several hundred miles away from the Spike zones are generally free from this disease. This fact should be taken advantage of in artificial propagation of Sandal in states which have optimum habitat conditions for it. This will compensate the loss in its natural habitat. Till definite causes of the disease and its radical curative measures are investigated, artificial propagation of this species from healthy seed origin in areas away from the centre of infection can alone save this species from complete eradication from its natural habitat.