Studies on Growth Characteristics and Starch Productivity of the Sago Palm (Metroxylon sagu Rottb.) Folk Varieties in Seram and Ambon Islands, Maluku, Indonesia

Abstract

The growth characteristics and starch productivities of four major sago palm folk varieties (spiny types: Ihur, Tuni, Makanaru; non-spiny type: Molat) were compared on Seram and Ambon Islands, Maluku, Indonesia. These folk varieties were recognized there by spiny or non-spiny; length and density of the spine; the angle of leaf crown; the attaching features of leaflets to the rachis (horizontal or V-shaped); drooping of the leaflet tip; starch productivity; starch color, etc. There were no significant differences in growth characteristics, leaf and leaflet characteristics, starch content, and characteristics related to starch content among the four major folk varieties on Seram Island. The trunk growth characteristics and starch content of the Ihur and Tuni on Ambon Island were comparable to those of Seram Island. In addition, the starch productivities of the four major folk varieties, 500–600 kg plant^-1, were superior to those of sago palms in Malaysia and in western areas of Indonesia. The starch contents were as high as those of the late-flowering folk varieties of the Indonesian territory on New Guinea.