Clonal Santalum album growth, oil content and composition on different hosts and at different locations

The growth of clonal Santalum album on different hosts was assessed over 14 years at three different locations in Western Australia (Kununurra, Carnarvon and Geraldton). In trial one, two clones (K7 and LS) were grown on Melaleuca and Azadirachta indica as hosts at the three localities. Sandalwood growth was good at Kununurra and Carnarvon (increment of diameter at BH 0.8cm pa.), but poor at Geraldton. Heartwood was first detected in year 10 at Carnarvon. No heartwood formed at Geraldton up to year 14. Oil concentration in heartwood was highest at Kununurra (4.4% for the base of clone K7 with 65% santalols), and composition was similar to that published for juvenile trees growing in India. In the tallest trees, heartwood was present to 4m height in trunks, with only small differences between oil concentration and composition at different heights in the trunk. In trial two, in which one clone (R32) was compared when grown at Kununurra with each of Acacia mangium, Cassia siamea or Dalbergia sissoo as a host, growth was best on D. sissoo and oil concentration highest using A. mangium as a host. There was a range in growth and oil concentration within clones and improved silvicultural techniques are required if plantations are to benefit from the more uniform product theoretically possible from clonal material.