Sandalwood Spike Disease

Sandalwood Spike Disease

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Issues related to agriculture

In news

• India’s sandalwood trees are facing a serious threat due to Sandalwood Spike Disease (SSD).
• The natural population of sandalwood in Marymoor Sandal Forest of Kerala and various reserve forests in Karnataka, including MM Hills (Malai Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary), are heavily infected with SSD.

Important value additions

Sandalwood Spike Disease

• It is an infectious disease which is caused by phytoplasma.
• Phytoplasmas are bacterial parasites of plant tissues. 
• They are transmitted by insect vectors and involved in plant-to-plant transmission.
• There is no cure as of now for the infection.
• The infected tree will have to be cut down to prevent the spread of the disease.