Seed Source Variation in Seed Traits, Germination and Seedling Growth Attributes of Sandalwood (Santalum album L.)

Santalum album is indigenous to peninsular India and popularly known as Indian Sandalwood. In this study, we evaluated total six different sandalwood seed sources under nursery condition including seed morphology at College of Forestry, NAU, Navsari, Gujarat. There was a significant variation in seed morphological attributes, seed germination and other attributes viz., Mean daily germination, Peak value of germination, Germination value and Germination rate index and Mean germination time. Seedling growth measured at 90 days after transplanting also resulted in significant variation among the seed sources under nursery. Idukki (Kerala) and Bengaluru (Karnataka) sources showed superiority for seed size, germination and seedling growth attributes under Navsari climatic conditions; conversely, Surat and Dharwad sources showed poor germination. Therefore, Idukki and Bengaluru sources can be used for large scale seedling production as well as for further selection and evaluation at field condition.