HEALTHY SOIL, EFFICIENT WATER
USAGE, OPTIMUM GROWTH

Kununurra is located in a subtropical climate. During the wet season, the plantations are naturally irrigated by frequent rains. A catchment area of the nearby Ord River Dam fills up during that time and provides irrigation through water channels for the rest of the year.

This means Santanol does not require extra energy nor resources to run elaborate pumping systems. Through flood irrigation, the trees take only as much water as they need; remaining water is collected and irrigates the habitat downstream. Water soil probes and tree sap flow metres ensure the water is used efficiently.

Nitrogen is a key nutrient for plant growth; conventionally it is added through fertilizer. The Sandalwood tree however, relies on host plants to access nitrogen. For this reason our selection of hosts focuses on leguminous species which extract nitrogen from the air and make it available through their root system. This way the trees receive nitrogen naturally and continuously.

HEALTHY SOIL, EFFICIENT WATER USAGE, OPTIMUM GROWTH

Kununurra is located in a subtropical climate. During the wet season, the plantations are naturally irrigated by frequent rains. A catchment area of the nearby Ord River Dam fills up during that time and provides irrigation through water channels for the rest of the year.

This means Santanol does not require extra energy nor resources to run elaborate pumping systems. Through flood irrigation, the trees take only as much water as they need; remaining water is collected and irrigates the habitat downstream. Water soil probes and tree sap flow metres ensure the water is used efficiently.

Nitrogen is a key nutrient for plant growth; conventionally it is added through fertilizer. The Sandalwood tree however, relies on host plants to access nitrogen. For this reason our selection of hosts focuses on leguminous species which extract nitrogen from the air and make it available through their root system. This way the trees receive nitrogen naturally and continuously.

Soil and Water

We use natural approaches to support the healthy growth of our trees such as pruning, natural soil biology, and resilience to diseases through symbiotic relationships with microbes. We brought in a herd of free range goats that are working successfully as a natural weed control. Moreover, they add organic fertilizer to the soil which further improves the land.

We have introduced trials with mites and ladybugs to naturally control potential bug infestations. Additional trials include applying beneficial microbes to the soil to help prevent fungal diseases and to increase the availability of soil nutrients.