The growth character of sago palm based on differences in time of trunk formation

Abstract

This study aimed to (1) characterized sago palms with different trunk formation times; (2) studied the growth characteristics related to the diameter of the sago trunk. This research was conducted at the Sago Cultivation Experimental Site located in Pengkajoang Village, West Malangke District, North LuwuRegency.Thegrowth characters studied were number of leaves, trunk diameter, leaf length,petiole length, tree height,rachis length, number of suckers, length of the most extended leaflets, number of leaflets and the width of broadest leaflets. A paired T-Test was used to analyze the average of three variables between sago-forming trunks at 3 years, 3.5 years, and 4 years after transplanting. In addition to correlation analysis, variables were compared based on their relationships.The sago palm that formed the trunk at 3 years after transplanting had the highest number of leaves (20 strands), 3.5 years (17 strands), and 4 years (16 strands). Conversely, sago palms that form trunks 4 years after transplanting have the widest leaflets(7.44 cm), 3.5 years (6.04 cm) and 3 years (6.52 cm). Based on correlation analysis and path analysis, it is known that the number of leaves, tree height and rachis length are characteristics of sago palm growth which have a significant effect on the formation of trunk diameter.