Indonesian

Abstract

Fiani A. 2015. Strategy for genetic resources conservation of sugar palm (Arenga pinnata). Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 1: 687- 690. Sugar palm (Arenga pinnata Merr) is one of the bioethanol-producing plants that has advantages compared with other ethanolproducing raw materials such as sugarcane, sorghum, and cassava. There is a great potential of sugar palm to be developed as a source of bio-ethanol, however, the attention to this plant is overlooked. Sugar palm trees in Indonesia generally grow naturally in the wild, and there is no adequate research into superior sugar palm tree in term of sap (nira) production and its sucrose content. To improve sugar palm plantation productivity, tree breeding program is required. High genetic diversity of base populations of sugar palm will ensure the tree breeding program to succeed as tree selection will be more optimal. Ex-situ genetic conservation stands of sugar palm are required to maintain its genetic diversity and to support future tree breeding activities. The proper strategy for establishing ex-situ genetic resources conservation of sugar palm is therefore needed.