Abstract
Suckers are the most popularly used planting materials in establishing sago palms in small-holder gardens and plantations in Sarawak. This is because suckers are true-to-type and are faster in their subsequent estabishment as compared to seedlings raised from open pollinated seeds.
In the world's first sago palm plantation in Mukah, Sarawak, large numbers of suckers were nursed for three to five months in nurseries before field planting. The nurseries were usually sited in open fields and frequently, a substantial proportion of the suckers failed to survive. The mortality rate was extremely high especially in the dry season and most of the death occurred during the first month of planting in the nursery, causing substantial financial losses in the nursery.
In the current study, factors suspected to affect the subsequent survival rate of sago palm suckers were investigated. It was found that survival was significantly enhanced if suckers were planted promptly, notably within three days after removal from the parental palm. Suckers stored for more than two weeks before planting generally showed a marked decrease in their subsequent survival in the nursery. When the cut-ends as well as part or whole rhizome were completely buried in the soil, an increased rate of survival was also obtained. Rhizomes planted 8cm below or just placed on top of the soil surface were shown to have lower survival rate. Trimming of roots to as short as 1cm did not affect the subsequent survival of the suckers but excessive trimming of the rhizomes was deleterious. Shading of suckers during the dry season appeared to contribute positively to their successful establishment.
When planting of suckers was delayed, treatment with a wide spectrum fungicide together with keeping the suckers in cool and moist places were shown to reduce their mortality rate.
Based on the above findings and experience gained in the field, a recommendation on some of the important aspects in sago palm nursery practices is made.
