Abstract

Starch production of sago palm based on physical and chemical properties were observed in a large variation in the previous study. The important gene markers used forthe assessment of the genetic variation and relationships which is related to the starch production is wx gene markers. The generating data based on the Wx gene markers were described in 8 alleles and 14 genotypes on sago palm in Indonesia. The sizes of alleles range from 100 to 700 bp. Many vernacular names were given by local people where the population is located. However it has different names, but it is genetically the same. The vernacular names do not accurately describe the types of the sago palm. The genetic relationships of sago palm were observed in a higher variation in the level of individual sampling stages, then followed by the populations sampling and the islands sampling stages. Sago palm samples were clustered into four groups in the level of individuals, three groups in the level of populations, and two groups in the level of islands. The existence of the specific genotypes in both population, Serui in the Papua islands and Palopo in the Sulawesi islands are considered to be germplasm resources. The Papua islands have the largest genotype; therefore, it is proposed to be the center of genetic diversity of sago palm in Indonesia.

Key words: Sago palm, wx gene, population, genetic variation, genetic relationship.