Sandalwood basic biology, tissue culture, and genetic transformation

• Published in: Planta Vol. 243; no. 4; pp. 847 - 887
• Main Authors: da Silva, Jaime A. Teixeira, Kher, Mafatlal M., Soner, Deepak, Page, Tony, Zhang, Xinhua, Nataraj, M., Ma, Guohua
• Format: Journal Article Book Review
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Science + Business Media 01.04.2016; Springer Berlin Heidelberg; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agriculture; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biotechnology; Biotechnology - methods; Ecology; Economic importance; Essential oils; Forest products; Forestry; Forestry - methods; Host plants; Host Specificity; Life Sciences; Metabolites; Parasitism; Plant propagation; Plant Sciences; Plant Somatic Embryogenesis Techniques - methods; R&D; Research & development; REVIEW; Santalaceae; Santalum; Santalum - genetics; Santalum - physiology; Seedlings; Seedlings - growth & development; Self-Incompatibility in Flowering Plants; Species extinction; Threatened species; Tissue Culture Techniques - methods; Tissue culture; Micropropagation; In vitro; Somatic embryogenesis; Santalum album; Santalum spicatum
• ISSN: 0032-0935; 1432-2048
• DOI: 10.1007/s00425-015-2452-8

Many species of the genus Santalum (Santalaceae) have been exploited unremittingly for centuries, resulting in the extinction of one and the threatened status of three other species. This reduction in biodiversity of sandalwood has resulted from the commercial exploitation of its oil-rich fragrant heartwood. In a bid to conserve the remaining germplasm, biotechnology provides a feasible, and effective, means of propagating members of this genus. This review provides a detailed understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying the success or failure of traditional propagation, including a synopsis of the process of hemiparasitism in S. album, and of the suitability of host plants to sustain the growth of seedlings and plants under forestry production. For the mass production of economically important metabolites, and to improve uniformity of essential oils, the use of clonal material of similar genetic background for cultivation is important. This review summarizes traditional methods of sandalwood production with complementary and more advanced in vitro technologies to provide a basis for researchers, conservationists and industry to implement sustainable programs of research and development for this revered genus.