Sago palm (Metroxylon sagu, Arecaceae) production in the eastern archipelago of Indonesia: Variation in morphological characteristics and pith dry-matter yield

Eleven local varieties of sago palm (Metroxylon sagu Rottb.) in southeast a nd north Sulawesi and in northern Maluku were studied: one variety with a w eak black band on the back of the petiole: three varieties with a brown ban d on the back of the petiole: seven bandless varieties comprising two spine less, four short spine and one long spine types. Large variation in morphol ogical characteristics and pith dry-matter yield were estimated at 13 to 34 % and 55%, respectively. The difference in pith dry-matter yield is mainly attributed to trunk diameter and dry-matter percentage of pith. Trunk diame ter was not affected by the length of growth period which might reflect the palm's own characteristics, such as genetic background and growth environm ent. The dry-matter percentage of pith was not related to any characteristi cs measured The pith dry-matter yield was highest in the short spine type, followed by the spineless and the long spine types.