Nutrient Availability Has a Greater Influence than Pot Host on Seedling Development of Hemiparasitic Hawaiian Sandalwood (Santalum paniculatum Hook. and Arn.)

Sandalwood (Santalum spp.) has been overharvested throughout its range, including the Hawaiian Islands, where 6 of 19 species Santalum spp. are endemic. As hemiparasitic plant species, sandalwoods require a host for optimal forest establishment, yet importance during seedling development is unclear. Furthermore, understanding interactions between pot hosts and nutrient availability on sandalwood nursery culture will help to promote production high-quality seedlings restoration commercial purposes. We evaluated effects controlled-release fertilizer (CRF), chelated Fe treatments, two (Acacia koa Dodonaea viscosa) paniculatum). Increased (CRF) led increased dry mass, root collar diameter, shoot height, chlorophyll index, status values, confirming that S. paniculatum can be successfully grown in early stages cultivation by providing adequate mineral fertilizers. There was significant interaction iron treatments associated with concentration, content when applied (vs. not) nutrient-limiting environment. The treatment did not affect any growth metrics, but it total count haustoria, A. koa-hosted developing 60.3% more haustoria than D. viscosa-hosted control seedlings. Our results demonstrate containers nutrition growing environment may benefit from