Domestication, restoration and sustainable use of Indonesian sandalwood

This review provides a comprehensive overview of sandalwood (Santalum album) domestication andrestoration in Indonesia. Sandalwood is a valuable tree species native to East Nusa Tenggara (ENT)Province and naturalised in Gunungkidul (Yogyakarta Special Province) and Aceh Province. It hasbeen used for centuries in traditional medicine, perfumery and religious ceremonies. The heartwoodof the tree is the most valuable part and is used to extract oil, which has a unique fragrance and isused in the perfume industry. Sandalwood trade has a long history in ENT and has been an importantsource of income for local communities. However, overexploitation and illegal logging have causedthe species to become vulnerable, leading the local government to ban trade in sandalwood. Toaddress the issue of illegal logging, sandalwood conservation and domestication programs havebeen established involving the planting of sandalwood trees in managed plantations. Geneticconservation and breeding of sandalwood with high santalol quality is an important strategy tosupport the development of seed sources and ensure the sustainable use of the species. Individualswith high santalol content have been identified and propagated by grafting and micropropagation.Accelerating the sandalwood domestication strategy will involve a range of activities, including thereintroduction of sandalwood seeds from Gunungkidul to ENT, intensive planting programs and theexpansion of sandalwood cultivation to other areas. Research is needed on sandalwood in Indonesiato provide insights into the conservation, cultivation and sustainable management of this importanttree species. In conclusion, sandalwood is a commercially important tree species in Indonesia. TheIndonesian Government is working to ensure the sustainability of this valuable resource by plantingsandalwood trees, preserving seed sources and regulating the trade in sandalwood products.