Status and challenges of sandal spike disease in Indian forest: An analysis

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.