SANDALWOOD CULTIVATION

Sandalwood is a kind of semi-parasitic plant (semi-obligate or hemi-parasitic). This plant is associated with other plants (host) through haustoria to obtain nutrients. Some elements are obtained from the soil such as calcium (Ca) and potassium (K). Minerals in solution form are obtained from host plants such as nitrogen (N), phospor (P), sodium (Na) and amino acids. Thus it can be concluded that the cultivation of sandalwood absolutely requires the host plant. Various host plants will improve the quality of its oil content. Host plants have been identified >70 species, but their influence varies greatly on the growth and development of sandalwood. The host plant consists of primary host (nursery level), secondary (medium term) and tertiary (long term). The selection of host plants should pay attention to the size, shade nature, economic value, and its contribution to sandalwood. Several species of host plants in NTT, both research results, interviews and investigation results are Capsicum frutescens; Alternanthera sp; Acacia sp.; Duranta repens; Solanum melongena; Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.; Citrus sp.; Acacia vilosa; Casia siamea; Acacia auriculiformis; Gliriciada sepium; Annona squamosa; Jatropha curcas; Capsicum frutescens; Tamarindus indica; Citrus aurantifolia; Ziziphus mauritiana; Ficus elastica; Musa paradisiaca, etc.The standing of sandalwood plants is currently being developed after the previous excessive exploitation. This will affect the local income of East Nusa Tenggara Province, as well as the community. Therefore, it is necessary to develop strategies to improve the return of sandalwood contribution to local revenue. Development strategy can be done through the preservation and development of sandalwood as follows: agroforestry system, root shoot regeneration, root shoot regeneration