Abstract
Sago palms of the similar growth stage on shallow peat vary in length, circumference and weight of trunk. From the time of planting, a sago palm remains in the rosette stage for about 5.5 years before trunks are formed. Flower initiation occurs at 12.5 years and mature fruits are completely shed in 14.5 years.
The average content of dry starch increases with maturation until flowering. At the younger stages, starch is mainly found at the lower portion of the trunk, indicating the progressive accumulation of starch from the base to the top of the trunk. The maximum starch content, i.e. 18-20%, is observed between the full trunk growth stage (just before the emergence of inflorescence structure) and flowering stage. Thereafter, the starch content decreases sharply to 4-6% at the final stage.
In contrast to normal fruiting palms, mature-fruiting palms which produced little or no fruits because of abnormal or damaged inflorescence, retain the majority of the starch in the trunks. This demonstrates that most starch in the trunk is mobilised for fruit development at the end of its life span.
The maximum starch yield per unit time is found between the full trunk growth and flowering stages. For the maximum economic return and the promotion of growth of successor palms, harvesting should be carried out the full trunk growth stage.
