Host-specific influence on early growth and physiological attributes of sandal (Santalum album) grown in farmlands

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the host- specific compatibility of sandal (Santalum album) for better root proliferation and boosting the growth of tree. Sandal (Santalum album) was grown with 8 different leguminous and non-leguminous species at early stage to evaluate its biometric growth (height and basal diameter) and physiological (chlorophyll, photosynthesis rate and transpiration rate) performance under field conditions. Sandal grown with Sesbania grandiflora recorded highest biometric observations, chlorophyll, photosynthesis and transpiration rate followed by Sandal + Albizia lebbeck and sandal + Casuarina junghuhniana. The sandal grown with leguminous host showed superior growth performance than sandal grown with non-leguminous host. The present study recommended that Sesbania grandiflora can be grown as transit host for boosting the growth of sandal.