Growth Performance of Sandalwood (Santalum album) Plant in Western Nepal.

Abstract

Sandalwood is one of the exotic species of Nepal. Among all, Sandalwood (Santalum album) is found cultivated in a private land by local farmers. Sandalwood oil is used in perfumes, cosmetics, aromatherapy, and pharmaceuticals. The research was carried out to assess the growth performance of Sandalwood in particular soil condition in the Pyuthan district of Nepal. Four villages of Swargadwari municipality, Ward No. 3 of the Pyuthan district where large numbers of Sandalwood plants have been planted by local households on their private land, were selected. The objective of the study was to document the growth performance of sandalwood in terms of mean annual volume increment. Data collection was carried out through primary and secondary data sources. Primary data were collected through the diameter and height measurement of the Sandalwood tree by using a diameter tape, Abney's level, and a linear tape. As supportive data source, secondary data were collected from different journal articles, yearly publications of the Division Forest Office, Pyuthan, Department of Forest and Soil Conservation, and Ministry of Forest and Environment. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results were presented in the form of a map, table, and bar graph. The highest mean annual height increment was 0.51 m/year at the age of 10 years; similarly, the lowest mean annual height increment was 0.44 m/year at the age of 16 years. The highest mean annual diameter increment was 1.009 at the age of 15 years; similarly, the lowest mean annual diameter increment was 0.97 m/year at the age of years. The highest mean annual volume increment was 0.004 m³/year at the age of 15 years, and the lowest mean annual volume increment was 0.001 m³/year at the age of 9 years. The result shows a gradual increase in the mean annual volume increment with age from the age of 9-15 years, and it shows a slight reduction at the age of 16 years as compared to that of 15 years.