Notes on the Variation of Selected Morphological Variables in Semicultivated Stands of Sago Palms (Metroxylon sagu Rottb.) in Agusan del Sur, Southern Philippines

Abstract

A survey covering 72 palms was conducted in the municipalities of Rosario, Talacogon, and Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur Province in Mindanao, Southern Philippines to study the variation in morphological traits of sago (Metroxylon sagu Rottb.). Among nine variables studied, two were classified as qualitative; the rest were quantitative. The qualitative variables were: the pattern of bands at the back of the rachis (banding pattern), and suckering pattern. Four banding patterns were observed, namely: striped brown and white band (SBWB), gray band (GB), strong brown band (SBrB), and strong black band (SBB). They occurred in equal proportion among the samples. The SBB seems to be associated with large trunk volume, while SBrB seems to be associated with low trunk volume. Suckering patterns were classified as: Type 1, when suckers arise from the rhizomes far from the mother plant and Type 2, when suckers arise from the base of the mother plant. Type 2 was the common type, accounting for 56 out of 72 palms. We did not find any association between suckering pattern and trunk volume. The following traits were found to be highly significantly correlated with trunk volume: trunk height, trunk diameter and leaf scar distance.