1Forest Protection Division, Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Bengaluru-560003, Karnataka, India
2National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, University of PuneCampus, Ganeshkhind, Pune-411007, Maharashtra, India
*Corresponding author e-mail: Athulya Ramakrishnan (drathulyar@gmail.com)
Online published on 5 March, 2025.
Sandal wood is predominantly found in the forests of southern India, with this region accounting for 90% of the sandalwood distribution in the country. The primary cause of declining sandalwood resources in southern India is infection by the ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’ (16SrI-B), a member of the aster yellows group of phytoplasmas. This study provides a brief overview of the current status of sandal spike disease in the primary forest habitats of Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, as well as the challenges involved in managing this disease.
Santalum album, Phytoplasma, Aster yellows
