PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION ON THE PROPAGATION TECHNIQUES FOR SAGO PALM (METROXYLON SAGUS) SEEDLING PRODUCTION

The investigation of the appropriated techniques to propagate sago palm was conducted at Sirindhorn Peat Swamp Forest Research and Nature Study Center, Narathiwat Province, started from September 1991 to November 1993. The propagation was made at two types of materials, by seeds and sprout.
The seeds with and without mesocarp were compared and two types of germination media, sand and coconut husk were used.
The seeds taken out of mesocarp germinated up to 40% while the seeds with mesocarp remained germinated not greater than 4%. Two types of germination media, sand and coconut husk did not affect the germination rate.
Propagation using sprout was made on two size classes of sprout’s stump, diameter at stump was 2.5–5.0 cm. and >5.0–7.0 cm.
The sprouts with open shoot and closed shoot (column like) were classified.
The sprouts of remained mature leaves and of mature leaves removed were also compared.
All sprouts were soaked in water at stump level and nursed under 50% shade for two months and then transpanted to soil in plantic bags.
The results showed that the sprout of remained mature leaves produced much higher survival rate.
The sprouts of greater size class and remained mature leaves survived greater than 90% while the small sizeclass survived not greater than 60%. The shoot characteristics, open or close shoots did not affect the survival rate of transplanted sago palm’s sprouts.

V International Sago Symposium

T. Nuyim

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1995.389.8