A REVISED METHOD FOR SUCKER STERILIZATION TO SUPPORT THE IN VITRO PROPAGATION OF SAGO PALM (Metroxylon sagu Rottb.)

Abstract

ABSTRAKKata kunci: Antibiotik, kontaminan jamur dan bakteri, kultur in vitro, metode sterilisasi, sagu ABSTRACT Natural sago (Metroxylon sagu Rottb.) forest can be found in large area in Maluku and Papua regions. There are wide genetic diversities of sago palm found in these areas. This palm grows along riverbanks and in swampy areas which are not suitable for other crops. Sago palm is propagated generatively by seed and vegetatively by suckers. With the purpose of establishing the in vitro culture method for a large-scale of mass clonally propagation of superior genotypes of sago palm, generating sterilized explants are very important. Young suckers (15-20 cm) obtained from areas of Papua Province were used as explants. The sterilization experiments were carrying out to support the tissue culture of sago palm. Sterilization was conducted using antibiotics in order to get rid of fungi and bacteria from inner part of explants tissues. The results showed that from all sterilization methods tested, the best result was treatment using alcohol and antibiotic as disinfectant agents.