The effect of tapping and position of female inflorescence to seed quality and conservation technique of seedling on growth of sugar palm seedling.

Abstract

The experiment was conducted at Seed Science and Techology Laboratory of IPB, from January to October 2012. The aim of this research was to investigate if tapping of male inflorescence and position of female inflorescence affect seed quality (experiment 1) and conservation technique and period at seedling stage affect subsequent growth of sugar palm seedling (experiment 2). A completely Randomized Design with two factors was used in experiment 1. The first factor was tapping i.e untapped and tapped. The second factor was position of female inflorescence i.e first, third and fifth. Each experiment was replicated four times. Split plot design with two factors was used in the experiment 2. The main plot was conservation technique i.e. plastic bag, rice husk charcoal with 10%, 20% and 30% moisture content, saw mill husk with 10%, 20% and 30% moisture content.The sub plot was periode of conservation i.e without conservation, one week and two weeks conservation. The result of experiment 1 showed that tapping and position of female inflorescence did not affect seed quality therefore seed can be taken from any trees in all position of female inflorescence. The result of experiment 2 showed that rice husk charcoal with 20% and 30% moisture content was effective for conservation sugar palm seedling up to two weeks.