Sign In
Learn bits
Ecology & Environment
Mahesh

28/10/22 06:54 AM IST

Sandalwood Spike Disease (SSD)

In News 
  • Sandalwood spike disease (SSD) has recently started spreading to private fields where the cultivation of sandalwood has been taken up on a commercial basis.\
Sandalwood spike diseases
  • The disease is caused by phytoplasma — bacterial parasites of plant tissues — which are transmitted by insect vectors.
  • The disease was first reported in Kodagu in 1899.
  • Symptoms: The sandalwood trees dry up once affected by SSD. Leaves turn thin and yellow and no new leaves will sprout. Within four years, the tree dies.
  • Treatment: As of now, no cure exists for the disease. Hence, the infected tree has to be cut to reduce the spread of the disease.
  • Every year about 1% to 5% of sandalwood trees are lost due to the disease.
  • It could potentially wipe out the entire natural Sandalwood population if measures are not taken to prevent its spread.
Measures needed
  • A study conducted by the Institute of Wood Science and Technology(IWST), Bangalore and Pune-based National Centre for Cell Sciences has recommended accreditation of commercial production of sandalwood seedlings through testing to ensure that the plants are free from SSD.
  • It has also called for a paradigm shift in policies handling sandalwood seedlings.
About Sandalwood
  • Indian Sandalwood is a dry deciduous forest species native to China, India, Indonesia, Australia, and the Philippines.
  • Because it is strong and durable, S. album is mostly harvested for its timber. On IUCN Red List Status, it is Vulnerable.
  • In India, it is also called “Chandan” and “Srigandha”. Sandalwood has a special place in Indian tradition where it is used from cradle to cremation.
  • In India, it is mostly grown in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.
Source- The Hindu 

More Related Current Affairs View All

10 Jan

Rural landowners in Delhi want repeal of Sections 33 and 81 of Delhi Land Reforms Act

'Both sections dealing with the use and sale of agricultural land have come under the spotlight ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections.' This can only be done by the Central gove

Read More

10 Jan

Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas

'Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 18th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas  in Bhubaneswar.' The event is held once every two years to “honour the cont

Read More

10 Jan

Deciphering the Indus script

'Recently, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced a $1-million prize for experts or organisations in the event of their success in deciphering the scripts of the Indus Val

Read More

India’s First Ai-Driven Magazine Generator

Generate Your Custom Current Affairs Magazine using our AI in just 3 steps