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India’s sandalwood trees, the country’s pride particularly of Karnataka are facing a serious threat with the return of the destructive Sandalwood Spike Disease (SSD).
Sandalwood Spike Disease (SSD)
- The disease was first reported from Coorg distinct of Karnataka State in 1903 by Barban.
- Two types of symptoms are produced
- The common symptom called the ‘rosette spike’ is characterised by severe reduction in leaf size and reduction of internodes.
- Symptom called ‘pendulous spike’ is due to continuous apical growth of individual shoots without proper thickening and results in drooping of shoots.
- The disease is transmitted through root contacts and insect vectors.
- The disease can also be transmitted through Vinca rosea and vice versa through dodder.
- The most common insect Vectors are Moonia alhimaculata and Nephotettix virescence.
Sandalwood Spike Disease in India
- The infection has resurfaced in the aromatic tree’s natural habitats in Karnataka and Kerala.
- With between 1 and 5% of sandalwood trees lost every year due to the disease.
- Scientists warn that it could wipe out the entire natural population if measures are not taken to prevent its spread.
- Also, they fear that any delay in arresting the trend may result in the disease spreading to cultivated sandalwood trees.
- 98,734 trees were extracted during 1917-1925 in Salem also due to SSD.
- Observes that presently it is very difficult to identify the symptoms of SSD.
- It can be noticed only when the tree gets completely affected.
- Impact
- Price of Indian sandalwood and its oil has risen significantly since 1995 at a rate of 20% annually mainly due to depletion in production.
Effort to combat the killer disease
- The IWST will join hands with the Pune-based National Centre for Cell Sciences for a three-year study, initiated by the Union Ministry of Ayush with a financial allocation of Rs. 50 lakh.
- The study will try to identity the vectors that transmit SSD.
- Also identify alternative plant hosts, their ecological and epidemiological mapping besides examining optimisation of non-chemical methods of pest-management.
About Sandalwood
- Sandalwood being classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 1998.
- Natural populations of sandalwood are available in Marayoor in Kerala and some patches of reserve forests and adjoining areas in Karnataka.
- India has been the traditional leader of sandalwood oil production for perfumery and pharmaceuticals.
- As early as 1792, Tippu Sultan had declared it a Royal Tree of Mysuru.
Source : The Hindu
Topic
GS III : Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Current Affairs Compilation : 28 September 2020