SAGO BARUK PALM (Arenga microcarpha Becc) AS A SUPERIOR LOCAL FOOD SOURCE AND SOIL CONSERVATION PLANT AT SANGIHE ISLAND REGENCY

The aim of this study was to analyze the production of sago, to analyze its chemical composition and nutrient content, and to analyze the rainfall infiltration capacity of sago baruk palm grown at different altitudes. The research was conducted from October 2010 to June 2011 in Gunung Village, Tabukan Tengah, district of Sangihe. The village is laid from the coast to the top of the hill with an altitude of ±600 m above sea level. The data analysis techniques used in this research were descriptive analyses and F test ANOVA. The results showed that sago stem weight and pith weight were significantly influenced by the altitudes. The heaviest stem weight was obtained at the bottom position, while the heaviest pith weight was obtained at the top position, and for the largest ratio of sago flour to palm stem was obtained at the top position. The chemical compositions were significantly different in the levels of protein, calcium, iron, magnesium, and pH at the three altitudes. The infiltration capacity near the cluster was higher than that of the outside cluster, both in dry and rainy seasons.