Path coefficient analysis for growth characters of sago palm related to trunk formation at three years after transplanting

Abstract

The trunk formation in sago palm is the most important growth stage as a sign from the start of starch storage activities on the trunk. Generally, sago palm forms trunk at 4-5 years after transplanting. This study aims to characterize and to determine the growth character of sago palm that has a direct influence on the character of the sago trunk diameter in a 3-years after transplanting. The characters observed were trunk diameter, petiole length, rachis length, leaf length, tree height, number of suckers, number of leaves, length of leaflets, the width of leaflets, number of right leaflet and number of the left leaflet. The results showed that there were three characters of sago palm growth which were significantly positive in the formation of trunk diameters i.e. the number of leaves, rachis length, and tree height with the total effect values in cross prints respectively 0.746 **, 0.465 * and 0.676 *.