RISE Research InfonnationSeries on Ecosystems

I Vol. 22 No. 1 January - April 2010 I

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Some Familiar PhilippinePalms that Produce

High Food Value

andTikog

ECOSYSTEMS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BUREAUDepartment of Environment and Natural Resources

College 4031 , Laguna

Dir. Marcial C. Amaro, Jr.CESOIII

Assistant Editors Ms. Liberty E. AsisMs. Marla V. Cambay

Dr. Elpidio F. RimahdoDr. Rafael T. CadizMs. Maria P.Dayan

Ms Irene O. Tenorio!Mr. Nestor S. Leviste

Ms. Carmelita G. ReyesMs. Flora B. Palicpic

Layout Artists Mr. Liberato A. BacodMr. Nestor S. Leviste

111Collating and Binding Mr. Eduardo M. Tolentino

~_C_ir_cu_l_a_tio_n M_s_._F_lo_ra_B_._p_a_lic_p_i_c_j

Aside from forest trees that we usually feature in RISE, there are otherplant species that can be propagated for economic and environmental benefits.Among such plants are palms and tikog.

Palms are minor forest products that abundantly grow in our forests.They have numerous economic uses and are known to provide edible fruits andshoots, buds, alcohol, starch, sugar, oils, fibers, raw materials for furniture making,handicraft, house construction, ornamental and other uses. Ornamental palmsare planted mostly in school campuses, hospital grounds, building and hotelparks, and along highways. Palms are also used as indoor plants and serve asgood landscape materials for home gardens.

This compilation ofHISE serves as a guide for our readers/end~usersintheir quest for information on the characteristics of this Ralm tree, economic usesand usefulness as an ornamental plant. Nine palm species were included in thisissue.

Tikog is a multipurpose species that grows in marshlands in thePhilippines. Its stalks can be made into mats, handbags, placemats, baskets,tobacco cases and other novelty items as well as handicrafts.

We hope that the informatioh we are proyiding in this issue will be of useto those interested in the production of raw materials from. these palm speciesand tikog.

~CIAL C. AMARO. JR..j/ Dit:ector

Some Familiar Philippine Palms thatProduce High Food Value

Compiled by

Wilma C. Dichoso

Philippine palmsAfrican oil palmAmbungAnahawAnibongBurlFish tail palm,Kaong/Sugar palmNipasagoTakipanNiogNursery practicesPlantation establishmentReferences

TikogCommon namelocal namesScientific nameFamily'DesCfiptionSocia-economic benefits and usesDistributionSite requirementsPropagatiOnSite preparationDi~tance and plantingPlantation establishmentField plantingPopulation densityMan-made plantationCost and return analysisPests and diseasesGlossary of termsReferences

African oil palm is a medium to large tree with a total height of 12 m and clearstem length of 8 m. It bears flowers and fruits profusely. Flowers look similar toothers palms. Fruits are in nuts, and are borne in head-like clusters-at the sideof the palm. The nuts are green when young and turn brown to black upon ripening.

Distribution

The oil palm was introduced to the Philippines from West Africa , in the middleof the 18th century as an ornamental plant. It is now extensively grown in

.commercial scale in Agusan and in other parts of Mindanao. It grows well inplaces with short dry season and ~ith more or less evenly distributed rainfallthroughout the year.

Food: The buds are edible and used in preparing pickles and salads. A winesimilar to tuba can also be extracted from the sap of this paim.

The three principal commercial products are: palm oil, palm kernel, and palmkernel cake.

Oil palm is grown extensively inAfrica since it is in demand in the internationalmarket. Palm oil is obtained from the fleshy mesocarp of the fruitwhich contains45-55% oil. It is a raw material used in the manufacture of shortening, margarine,soap. and candles. The oil consists principally of palmetin and olein.

Ninety-eight percent of the solid fatty acid of oil palm is composed of palmeticacid. The fresh oil has an agreeable odor, bright orange color and consistencysimilar to butter. It is used as an edible fat by the natives of Africa. The reddishbrown color of palm oil is due to the presence of carotene - a chemical found incarrots and is a source of Vitamin K, which is needed by the human body toprevent failing eyesight and blindness.

Palm kernel oil is obtained from the kernel or endosperm which containsabout 50% oil. It is white.or slightly yellow in color. Palm kernel oil is similar tothe composition of.coconut pit, but is quite different from that of palm oil. It containsa lower proportion of glycerides ot the lower fatty acids. It is a good ingredient forsoap manufacture.

The palm cake is obtained after extracting the oil from the kernel. It serves as !

a livestock feed. '

The leaves are used for thatching while the petioles and rachis are used forfencing.

Other important uses

African palm is more popularly known as an ornamental tree. It is a goodmaterial in lands.caping avenues, parks and highways. It serves as an overstoreyspecies in agroforestry where other crops can be intercropped during the palm'searly stages. Since palm oil has a fibrous root system, it helps prevent soilerosion particularly in areas with soil runoff.

In Africa, 7.5-15 tons of buncheslha are harvested annually while in Malaysia,(20-40 tonslha) with a 15-20% recovery of oil per bunch on a weight basis, yieldswell over 5 tons of palm oHlhaiannum.

Bunches of palm oil can be harvested at the optimum stage of ripeness. Theunder ripe fruits oil have higher fatty acid content. Initial bunches that are producedwhen palms are 3-4 years old often have poor quality and are discarded. This

process is known as castration. During the first year, bunches are harvestedonce a week using a steel chisel. When the palms are older, they are harvestedusing a curved knife attached to a long bamboo. Taller palms are climbed withladder or rope. One man can harvest 100 - 150 bunches per day.

Phenology: Once it starts to flower, it flowers continuously.

Propagation: Palm oil can be propagated through seeds.

Nursery Practices

When the radicle and plumule are clearly differentiated, the seeds are plantedin raised pre-nursery beds filled with friable, well - drained soil or in trays plantedin larger, black polyethylene bags. Fertilization is necessary depending on thesoil condition and yield level.

Plantation establishment

The area is cleared completely by removing revegetation. Usually, 12-18 monthold seedlings are outplanted with a planting distance of 30 x 30 feet and shouldbe done at the onset of the rainy season. Fertilizer recommendation is necessarydepending on the soil condition and yield level.

Family name: Palmae

Description

Ambung is an erect and solitary species. The stem is slender, 20 m high and 20em in diameter. The petiole is long and slender. It is flat above and convex beneathand very dosely armed with small conical- dentiform spines of which the largest are5-6 m long, which are usually straight, horizontal and occasionally bent.

The partial inflorescence is twice branched and forms a small box, and convexexternally with very sharp edges. It is erect and almost entirely sheathed by itsown sword form.

Family name: Palmae

Description

Anahaw is an erect palm that grows 15 - 20 m and 25 cm in diameter. Thesmooth, straight, trunk is marked with close, shallow obscure rings which areactually leaf scars. The leaves are crowded at the top of the trunk and ascending.The green smooth flattened petiole may have hard black spines. As the petioleages, the edges become persistently shredded matrices of fibers. The greenflowers are sessile and 2 m long. The fruit is 1.5 em in diameter, fleshy and yellowwith a hard, round, brown seed inside.

Ambung is widely distributed at low-altitude forests like in Pafawan, Balabac.Mindanao, Basilan, Cebu, and Southern Luzon.

Ambung palm is a good ornamental plant. It contributes a beautiful landscapewhen planted on parks and in home gardens.

The species is widely distributed, but grows naturally in forested areas andlocally adapted in the archipelago. Most are commonly found in Luzon, Negros,and Mindanao.Propagation: Ambung palm can be propagated through seeds.

Nursery practices

Sow the freshly harvested seeds evenly on seed boxes. Water them as oftenas necessary. When seedlings are developed to about 1 em roots and shoots,transfer them to a 4 x6 plastic bag containing a mixture of sand, top soil andsawdust (1:1:1). When seedlings reach the desired height, outplant them duringthe rainy season.

Plantation establishment

Food: Anahaw bud is highly esteemed as a vegetable. Nuts are eaten whenyoung and green. The rind is tasty when ripe.

ANAHAW

Other important uses

The whole fan palm is used as an ornamental for both indoors and outdoors.It also serves as expedient watershed protection. The trunk is strong, and isdurable if not exposed to weather condition. It is very ideal for fish pen knot poles,house posts, and fuel. The harsh outer wood is split into strips/5-1 0 em wide andused for flooring and panelling. It is highly preferred for the "pingga" or "shoulderpole" of the Chinese and Filipino pack carriers.

When carved, the outer woqd is used in making handles, fishing rods, bows,walking sticks; and spear shafts. Whole or split trunks are used as water conduitsin irrigation, as they also make excellent cave troughs. Young leaves or "faffias"are made into raincoats, hats, fans, and creative works as decorative arrangements.The older, dark-green or yellowish colored leaves are serviceable for roofing tothatching materials for huts and houses. Some are made into containers forwater or rice and also sown into soils.

Clear the area of vegetation. Dig holes for the seedlings with a 2 m x 2 mspacing. Plant the seedlings by removing the plastic bags carefUlly. Water andmulch them with dry leaves around the area.

Local names: Abiang (Pamapanga, Pangasinan); ana-au,labig (llocos); anahau(Bohol, Panay-Bisaya, Tagalog); anau (Pampanga, Ibanag);bagsang (Samar, Leyte, Visaya); bahi (Visaya); Bail-Iang(Ibanag); balak (Maguindanao); balong-ulong (Pampanga); buhu,balan bulno (Bicol); ingaing (Igorot); luyong, tokis (Sambali);palma brava (Spanish); pilig (Tagalog). . Anahaw starts to flower from March to JUly. The palm starts to bear fruits at

age 10 attaining a 20 em diameter at breast height (dbh) and a 5-8 m height.Mature fruits are ready for collection from August to September.

Anahaw can be propagated either through seedlings or wildlings. Seedlingsshould be raised first in a temporary nursery, potted about 120 cm long and thenset out in the area for planting. For wildlings, they should be directly gatheredunder the canopy of anahaw trees in the plantation using a spade or a crowbar.The root system should be trimmed to its desired length and mud puddled, wrappedin a wet gunnysack and transported carefully to the planting site.

Seedlings and wildlings should be planted during the onset of the rainy seasonto ensure greater survival. The best spacing or planting distance is 6 m to giveallowance for the growing wildlings and enhance faster growth of planted trees inthe stand.

Grown seedlings should be collected from the seedbed when they havedeveloped 1 cm root and 1 cm shoot. Potting is done in 4 x 6 in polyethylenebags containing a mixture of 1:1:1 topsoil, sawdust, and sand. When the pottedseedlings are three (3) months old, hardening is done to prepare them foroutplanting.

Potted seedlings should be kept under.greenhouse or shed. Watering shouldbe done every afternoon or as often as necessary. Fertilizer may be applied to thepotted seedlings bas~ on the soil and plant requirement to ensure vigorous growth.

Plantation establishment

Underbrush the vegetation of the selected site and dig holes enough for theplant to settle with a 2 x 2 m spacing. Outplant the seedlings during the onset ofthe rainy season to ensure a good survival rate.

Anibong is an erect, clustering palm. The trunk is slender, 7-10 m tall, 10-40cm in diameter, grayish-brown, rather smooth, and with rings of black, flattened~pines. Leaves are spreading, 2 m long; leaflets pendant; and sheaths are orangeIn color with black spines. Spadix are few, clusters, with thick branches. Fruitsare spherical, 14-15 mm in diameter, and with nearly apical remains at the stigma.

Distribution

Anibong palms are abundant in the localities of Laguna, Quezon, Sorsogonand in some parts of the Visayas region usually in Biliran, Leyte. These areendemic in the areas mentioned.

Other beneficial uses: The outer portion of the stem can be used for flooringand handles of agricultural implements. The decoction of the root is drunk forfever treatment. .

Seedbeds are prepared for sowing. When seedlings reach the desired height,these should be transferred to a plastic bag. Seedlings should be outplantedduring the onset of the rainy season for a good survival rate.

The site is prepared by clearing the vegetation area. Dig holes and plant theseedlings with a spacing of 6 x 6 m. Water and mulch the area with dry leaves tomaintain soil moisture.

BURl

Local names: Bagatal, taktak (Ibanag, Nueva Vizcaya); buli, buri (Tagalog,Visaya, Bicol); ibus (Pampanga, Tarlac); piet (Nueva

Ecjja, Pangasinan); serar(Bagobo); silad (Visaya); silag(lIocos,Pangasinan, Tarlac).

Buri is the largest and the most common palm found in the Philippines. It hasa straight trunk with a dia.meter of 1 m and a height of 20 m. It has very large,round fan-shaped leaves. The outer part is split into 100 narrow segments. Thepetiole measures 2 - 3 m long with its two margins aligned with black spines. Theplant lives up to more than 30 years during the collection of large quantities ofstarch in the trunk.

The two known varieties of buri are the red or "linbahon" and the white or"Iupisan". These two are differentiated by the color of the petioles.

Buri grows throughout the Philippines at low and medium altitudes. Bu'ri iscultivated in some provinces, but in some areas buri grows naturally andabundantly.

Food: Buri buds are eaten cooked or raw as salads. The kernels of the youngfruits are processed into sweets. The trunk of the buri tree contains agoed qualityof starch even during its growing stage. The starch is collected when the treedies. Buri sap is one of the sources of the fermented drink locally known as"tuba". The fresh sweet sap is a good source of beverage and can be made into agood cidar when fermented. Fermentation takes place within 32 hours after thesap is obtained.

Other beneficial uses - because of its varied uses, buri can be ranked next tococonut and nipa in economic and industrial importance. The leaf is the mostimportant part of the buri palm. The petiole yields the so-called "buntal fiber" ofwhich the Lucban hats are made. The coarser fibers of young buds are twistedinto ropes. The mature leaves are used for covering tobacco bales, while the ribsare used for making brooms.

The raffia fiber, obtained from the unopened leaf or shoot, are used in makingcloth, good quality hats, mats and bags. This fiber is striped from the outer part of

the petiole. The stripping must be done on round, unopened leaves immediatelyafter the leaves are cut out from the palm.

The midribs of young leaves are popularly used as raw materials for the lawnfurniture. Aside from this, midribs are woven into high quality hats and cigarettecases. The thickness of the midribs ,determines the quality of the material.

A comparatively small amount of alcohol results from the spontaneousfermentation of the sap which may also be converted into sugar. Other parts ofthe buri palm such as seeds and stems are made into different products. Matureseeds are used as buttons, playing marbles, and rosary beads. The stem has astrong potential as a building material.

The sap is obtained in two ways. The more common method cuts aninflorescence near its base, protecting the surface from the sun and rain andcollecting the sap which flows from the incision. The other method is applied onyoung palms which have not flowered.

The crown of the plant is cut diagonally as far as the heart. The sap begins toflow steadily and rapidly within 4 days. In both methods. re-clipping is done dailyto maintain the steady sap. The rate of the sap ~ow varies according to thethickness of the slice removed. .

Sap protection

Sugar is made from the buri sap through boiling. Sap is boiled for 6 hoursafter which, the kettle is removed from the fire and the contents are stirred untilthe sugar granulates. It is, then-ladled out and molded.

Nursery practices

The prepared seedbeds should be exposed to full sunlight. Sow the treated·seeds at 2 cm deep at 2 em along rows and 8 cm between rows. Garden soil withcompost is used. Water as often as necessary. Mulch with rice hay. Seedswithout the hilar germinate after 30 days while the seeds with hilar will germinatein 60 days.

Clear and brush the area of existing vegetation. Staking and preparation ofplanting boles are done with a 6 x 6 m spacing. Brush the whole area every three(3) months. Apply fertilizer, if necessary.

Local names: Pugahan (Tag.); lulung pugahan (Tag.); anivung (Ibanag); anibong(Ibanag, Uqcos, Tag.); bahi (Mandaya); balikan (Cebu, Visaya);datipan (Tag.); Hagal (Bicol); tagipan (Pampanga); puguhan(Manobo); patikan(Panay Bisaya, Sulu); pola (Bagobo); takipan(Sulu). '

Fish tail palm is an erect solitary tree: Its trunk is 5-8 m tall and 10-20 em indiameter. Lea~s are scattered along the upper part of the trunk, spreading up to1.5 m lon~ petiole., Leaflets are-numerous and erect, while the apex is irregularand promment/ytoothed.lnflorescence is pendulous and up to 80 cm long. Spikesare numerous, slender, and up to 50 em long. Male flowers are 6-7 mm dullpurplish and yellow. Fruits are spherical, purple, fleshy and 12-17 mm. in diameter.The seed has a chestnut brown polished surface.

Fish tail palm is widely distributed in the Philippines usually in Luzon areas.It ,is mostly found in Apayao, La Union, Rizal, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, NuevaVlscaya, Laguna, Quezon, Mindoro and Palawan. It is also found in GuimarasIsland,Panay Island and Mindanao area.

Food: The young shoot bud or "ubod" is edible. A kind of sago is sometimesacquired from this palm.

Other beneficial uses: Fish tail palm is used as an ornamental plant. It is

occasionally used as a source of tuba or palm wine but of inferior quality. Fibersfrom the petiole are used as tinders for caulking boats. Splints cut from thepetioles are used in making baskets. The outer part of the trunk is split and madeinto a very durable slat flooring.

Phenology: Fish tail palm flowers continuously until exhausted.

Propagation: Fish tail palm can be propagated through seeds.

Nursery practices

Sow the seeds in a row in seedbed and water them as often as necessary.Once the seeds germinate and the shoots and leaves are one inch in length,transfer them to a 4 x 6 in polyethylene bag. The seedlings are placed in ashaded area to adaptto the environment and can be outplanted when the desiredheight had been reached. This can be done during the.onset of the rainy seasonfor a good survival rate. .

Common name,: Kaong or sugar palm

Local name: Bagatbat (Negros Oriental); batbat, ebiok-ibiok (Bohol); vabonegro (Spanish/Pilipino): habiok (Capiz); hibiok (Camarines,Albay, Capiz, Antique); igok (Antique); irok (Zambales, Cavite,Tayabas, Mindanao); kaong (Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna);kauing (Bataan); onnau. unau (Misamis, SUrigao); Rapitan (1I0c0sprovince).

Scientific name: Arenga pinnata (Wurmb.) Merr.

Sugar palm is a tall tree reaching a 15 m height and 40 em diameter. It haslong ascending pinnate leaves up to 8.5 m in length \,'lith100 or more pairs of linearleaflets. At maturity, huge fruit clusters begin to appear. The male flower, in densecluster of 4 ft long and is purple and has unpleasant odor. The female flower dusterare longer than the male and ripen very slowly into glossy brown, plum sized fruit.Each new flower cluster is borne on a leaf axil. When flowering reaches the lowestleaf axil and the fruit ripens, the entire spectacle ends and the plant dies. Sinceeach flower takes about 2 to 5 years to become a ripe fruit, and the fruit are alwaysavailable on the trees during this period. Arenga pinnata or Kaong has numerouscrowded green nuts which turn yellow when mature. Fruits are about 5 em indiameter and contain 2 - 3 seeds.

The palm is widely distributed at low and medium altitudes, in ravines alongstreams, and areas under semi-cultivation. Since it is naturally a sylvan speciesand its fruits are scattered by wild hogs and fruit bats, it can be occasionallyfound in virgin forests.

The palm is generally cultivated in most islands and provinces. It was anintroduced species that has become naturalized. It is usually found growing inLuzon areas (Rizal, Cavite, Bataan, Laguna, Quezon and in Polillio Island), Biliran,and in Mindanao areas.

Food~· The buds, either raw or cooked make fine salad. The immature seeds arealso edible. They are boiled with sugar and eaten as sweets. These can bestored and preserved in bottles. Boiled starch and sap can be used to feed hogs.

Other beneficial uses: Sugar palm yields sugar, starch, fermented drink, alcohol,and thatching and fibrous materials that are used in industrial work and cottageindustries. The leaves are used for thatching roofs. The midribs of the leaflets areusually used for round brooms and woven into coarse baskets.

Splits prepared from the petioles are used in making baskets, basketryworl<.s ortables, stands, screen, boxes, and other light pieces of furniture. The most importantindustrial yield of this palm is the black tough fiber locally known as "yumor or "cabonegrd'. This fiber is produced at the base of the petioles and is used in manufacturing,cleaning brushes ar:ldthatching materials. The fiber is known for its durability. It canstand long exposure to either fresh or salt water and is also resistant to fire.

Starch is extracted from the trunk by cutting down the tree. Then, the interiorfibrous parts of the trunk are cut into small pieces. These chips are then crushed,pulverized, washed with water several times, and then finally dried under the sun.The estimated yield per tree is about 50-75 kg starch.

The sap tapping process follows. An inflorescencestalk is selected and beatenwith a stick or wooden mallet for a short period each day to loosen the sap fromthe tissue. This beating extends about 2 - 3 weeks. The stalk is then cut off at thebase and the sap exuded and is caught in a hallow joint of bamboo. A thin slice isremoved from the cut end off the stalk once or twice each day during the period ofsap flow. Sap yield varies depending on climatic conditions, age of the tree, andlength of time the sap has been flowing out.

12 RISE

Tuba is a fermented kaong sap. Sap fermentation begins in the bamboo tubeswhere the sap is collected. Sap distillation produces alcohol.

Sugar is made from kaong by Qoilingits sweet unfermented sap. To avoidrapid fermentation, a different sap receiver (bamboo joint) is used each day tocollect the sap. Putting crushed ginger or chili pepper in the receiver also preventsrapid fermentation. Generally; sap is thickened to a desired consistency by boilingin an opened kettle. The right consistency is reached if the liquid solidifies whendropped on a cold surface. The sugar produced is brown, similar to the sugar ofburi palms.

Propagation: Sugar palm can be propagated through seeds.

Nursery I?ractices

Allow the pericarp to soften first by drying (tunder the sun for 7 days. Wash theseeds and sun dry them for about a week. Soak the seeds in water. Sow the seedsin a row on the seedboxes. Water them as often as necessary until the seedsgerminate. When shoots and leaves are about 1 in, transfer them into plastic bagswith a mixture of sand, sawdust and garden soil (1:1:1) and place them under ashaded area. The seedlings are then Qutplanted during the rainy season as soon asthe desired height is reached to ensure a good survival rate.

In establishing a plantation, one should clear the area of vegetation. Dig aplanting hole enough for the seedlings to settle with a spacing of 2 x 2 m. Dried·leaves are mulched in the plant to maintain moisture content of the soil. Brushthe area every (3) months to make sure that the plant has no vegetation competition.Fertilize if needed.

Local names: Anipa, pinok, tata (Ibanag); lasa, pawid (Tagalog); nipa (Spanish-Pl.); pinog (ltneg); saga (Sambali); sasa (Pampanga, Tagalog).

Description

The rootstock of nipa is stout. Leaves are found at the ends of the rootstock,5 - 10m long wide, the petiole is stout; leaflets are up to 1 m long and 2-7 m wid.enumerous, rigid, and slender. Male inflorescence is brown, and up to 1 m Inheight. Peduncles of the female inflorescence is stout, 1 m high and fruits are ~cm in diameter. Carpels are 10-14 em long numerous, dark-brown, striate, smooth'and 10-14 cm long. Seeds are hard, white and edible.

Nipa is widely distributed in the Philippines. It is also found in India, Malayaup to Tropical Australia.

Economic uses

Food: Immature fruits are edible. They are boiled with sugar and can be eaten assweets. These can be stored and preserved in bottles.

Other beneficial uses: Nipa has many uses. One cut stalk can be a source ofthatching material and wrapper. The sap is a source of alcohol, wine, sugar, ~ndvinegar. Leaflets are used in making raincoats, sun hats, baskets, and n1pashingles.

A stalk of nipa usually gives a continuous sap flowing daily for about 3 months(Melana 1980). Each palm can yield as much as 43 Ii of sap during the entireseason. From this, a plant can also yield 6.14 Ii of lambanog. Nipa wine contains50% alcohol. Out of 4.00 Ii of lambanog per hectare, 2,002.5 Ii of alcohol can beobtained. If a flower stalk produces 43 Ii of sap in the entire season at a sugarcontent of 17%, then a plant can yield 12.31 kg of sugar per season.

Phenology

Nipa palm can be propagated through seeds.

Nursery practices

Clear the site of any unwanted vegetation and debris. Mature seeds can bedirectly planted in the field. Bury half of the seeds with the larger apical portionon the ground. Germinated seeds are planted with the swollen portion facing t~eground. The first two leaf shoots emerge from these swollen portions. The seedsshould be planted in holes 1.7-2.0 m apart. To enhance prOduction, a widerspacing of 380 seeds/ha to 500 seeds/ha is recommended.

In a single year, salinity regimes in nipa stands vary every season. Plantdensity is normally 2,500 palms per hectare or more. The best planting season!or nipa is from May to July. The period of development is complete within a spanof four years. During this period, nipa is ready for sap extraction or leaf harvesting.

'--- SA_G_O J

Local names: Ambolong, ambulong, bagsang, lumbal, lumbia, lumbiag, sagu(Visayas); lumbia (Bagobo).

Sago palm has 6 - 9 pinnate leaves in long and very thick, stems which growin clumps. The tree has maximum height of 25 m and diameterof40 cm.Afullygrown tree can have a clear stem length of 20 m. The trunk resembles that ofburL Fruits are in clusters, scaly, round and golden brown, jf mature. Sago .palms grow well in the Philippines. There are two types: those with spiny leavesand without spines.

As early as 1918, Brown reported the abundance of sago palm in Centraland Southern Philippines. Specific areas where this plant has been spottedinclude Cebu, Negros, Panay, Bohol, Siquijor and many parts of Mindanao.

It grows in valley and along creeks and abundant in freshwater swamps. Itdoes not thrive well in salty brackish water. There is no updated information onthe current extent and distribution of sago palm throughout the country. However,it can be found in Luzon areas usually in Laguna, Quezon, Rizal, Batangas, andBicol provinces.

Food: The trunk contains plenty of starch deposits with a high food value. Ahealthy mature tree may have about 6-7 m long trunk containing starch. During

World War II, sago starch served as a good substitute for rice and corn (staplefood) in places where this plant abounds. At present, the starch also serves assubstitute for flour and has a high demand in the world market. Sarawak (anisland in Borneo) is the a chief exporter of sago starch.

The pith can also be toasted and eaten although 'the taste is somewhatbitter. The shoot in some other palms is also edible. Sago palm can be extractedand made into wine, vinegar, or sugar.

As roofing materials, the thatches made from sago leaves last for about 15-20years or twice as long as those made from nipa leaves. This compensates for thedifficult work in assembling the prickly sago leaves. The pricks can be avoided byusing crude gloves or mittens made of thick cloth.

In the Philippines, no mechanized method has been developed for theextraction and processing of sago starch. Those that have been documentedwere crude manual methods including the account of Brown (1918). The tree isfelled and crushed. Macerated oil is washed in troughs; the starches suspendedin water; and then allowed to settle.

After several washings, the starch is dried, then stored for use. Sometimesthe pith is cut into ~trips and dried. The dried strips are pulverized in mortars andthen washed as needed.

Macaraeg (1984) has also documented in detal! the method employed by theinhabitants of Zamboanga peninsula in extracting sago starch. The trunk of thefelled tree is cut into 3-4 sections then split into halves. The halves are thenpositioned such that their flat sides (exposing the pith) are up. With the aid of aheavy wooden mallet, a worker pounds on the spondy pUlp of the pith inch byinch. The freshy pith is crushed while seated in a piece of board or slat placedacross the rim of the hair trunk. This is done to expose its starch content..

The crushed pipe is then washed and pressed repeatedly on an elevatedplatform. The floor of the platform serves as a sieve. Flooring is made either ofsticks or split palm fronds laid parallel to each other. A mat of woven rattan nylonor fabric is bid over this flooring. The crushed pith is placed on this platform andgenerously watered and treaded on. In the process, starchy water is sieved dOV'fninto a container placed under or near the platform. To produce high quality starch,clean water to washed out starch must be used and utmost sanitation must bepracticed.

Sago can be propagated by suckers and produced abundantly at the basesof the trunk or by seeds. Suckers with unopened buds are best used as plantingmaterials. While Brown (1918) reported that this palm used to be cultivated insome parts of the Visayas and Mindanao. He gave no detail on how it was plantedand maintained.

Nursery practices

If seeds are freshly collected from the palm, allow the pericarp to soften bydrying them under the sun for 7 days and remove the pericarp. Wash the seedsand sun dry them for about a week. Soak sago seeds in tap water for 7 days. Theseeds will germinate within 15 days after placing them in a jute sack. In potting,the seeds are buried with the apical portion in downward position in the solI.

Plantation establishment

Clear the planting site from debris, shrubs and other unwanted vegetation.Plant the seedlings in hole prepared with a spacing of 6 x 6 m or 8 x 8 m. In theabsence of potted seedlings, suckers could be potted and transplanted after 1-2months of hardening. Potting of suckers with unopened buds is done by earth-balling to minimize root damage. During outplanting, dig holes as big as the potfor added compaction and protection.

TAKIPAN

Takipan is a large, solitary, erect palm. The trunk measures, up to 15 m tall,and 17-40 cm in diameter. Leaves are large, up to 3.5 m long; petioles sheathing,thick, rigid, the edges have fine black hairs. Leaves are numerous, 20-46 cmlong, straight on the lower side, curved and irregularly toothed on the upper,shinning deep green above and paler beneath. Inflorescence is very large, up to

2m long, the peduncles curved and 10 cm in diameter. Spathes are large, the firstspathes up to 40 cm long and the largest is 1 m long.

Spikes are numerous, about 80-150 cm long. Male flowers are 2 cm indiameter. Petals are oblong-ovate, dull purplish and yellow measures up 10 mmlong. Female flowers with sepals and petals are round. Fruits are grayish andoccasionally tinged red.

Takipan thrives in primary forest at low and medium altitude and occasionallycultivated in settled areas. It is widely distributed in Luzon areas like Cagayan,Rizal, Laguna, Quezon, Sorsogon, and Mindoro. In Mindanao areas. It is mostlyfound In Agusan, Davao, Cotabato, and also in the province of Negros.

Food: The young shoot bud (ubod) can be eaten raw or cooked.

Other beneficial uses: The palm is cultivated for ornamental purposes.

Propagation: Takipan can be propagated through seeds.

Nursery practices

Seeds are sown in a seedboxes. Water them as often as necessary for themto germinate. Transfer and pot the seedlings in a plastic bag of 4 x 6 in size andharden them untifthey are ready for outplanting on the onset of the rainy season.

Plantation establishment

The area selected should be cleared of vegetation and some other shrubs.The seedlings are then planted in the hole prepared with a distance of 3 x 3 m.Dried leaves are mulched in the plant to allow moisture in the soil.

Description

Niog is a tall palm reaching a height of 25 m. The trunk is stout, marked withannular scars and the base is thickened. Leaves are 4 - 5.5 m long, crowded atthe apex of the trunk. The petiole is stout, .1m or more in length and leaflets arenumerous measuring up to 1 m in length. Inflorescence is 1 m long or less. Fruitsvary in shape and size, oblong, ovoid, 3-angled, and 15 - 25 cm long. Albumenlines up the bony endocarps.

Distribution

Coconut palm is widely distributed in the archipelago. probably not a nativeof the Philippines but from Polynesia.

Food: Fruits of coconut are edible and can be preserved as sweets. It yields oilforfood and lard.

Other beneficial uses: It yields timber, fermented anq unfermented drinks,alcohol, vinegar, and thatching material.

Nursery practices

Mature fruits are stored in one place until they germinate. Once germinationtakes place, wait until 4 - 6 leaves appe~r and the roots are already established.They are ready for outplanting during the onset of the rainy season.

Plantation establishment

The site selected should be cleared and brushed with vegetation. Dig a holeenough for the seedlings to settle and make sure that the hole Is deep for theroots to establish. Spacing is 4 x 4 m for each seedling. MUlch with newly -cutleaves to allow moisture the soil. Brushing and clearing the area every two monthsis adequate.

Brown, W.H. 1954. Useful Plants of the Philippines. Department of Agricultureand Natural Resources. Technical Bulletin. Bureau of Printing. Manila,Philippines.

De Guzman, E.D. and E.S. Fernando. 1981. Guide to Philippine Flora and Fauna.Vol. 1 NRMC, MNR Quezon City.

Quimbo, L. L. 1988. Nipa (Nypa fruticansWurmb) in retrospect. Diamond JubileeProfessorial Lecture delivered on June 30, 1988 at UPLB, College, Laguna

RISE RISE

Tikog(Fimbristylis gJobulosa)

Compiled by

Rogelio M. CalinawanWilma C. DichosoLucas L. Gonzales

andArnel A. Lansigan

Local names: Anahunan (Manobo and Cebu); anahuan (Subanon), badang-badang (liocos Region); nuta (Pampanga); pakupakuan(Bulacan); sudsud (Bukidnon); tikog (Eastern Visayas, Panay,Cebu).

Tikog is a sedge plant that usually grows in marshland areas in the Philippines,especially in Leyte, Samar, Bohol and Mindanao. The plant grows and developsinto clips of several stalks which are 1 to 3 m long and 4 mm wide. These stalksare the sources of raw materials for the production of mats, handbags, placemats,baskets, tobacco cases and other novelty handicraft production in Regions 8 and1O.ln some sites, mature stalk grows up to 1.5 m long and 2 to 3 mm wide.

Tikog has linear concave pinlike leaves with basal attachment. The stems orstalks are pliant, pithy, tufty, shiny and smooth. Tikog's inflorescence is apical,simple or compound with 1 to 40 spikelets, borne in small branching stalksclustered into dusky brown spikes. The largest inflorescences are umbellate,which are 3-10 cm long.

Spikelets are solitary, sometimes globose ovoid or ellipsoid to cylindrical anddensely. They are multi-flowered measuring about 4 to 8 mm x 3 to 4 mm. Flowersare bisexual with 2 to 3 stamens, anthers are oblong to linear.

Tikog stalks are the sources of raw materials for the production of mats,handbags, placemats, baskets, tobacco cases and other novelty handicrafts.

The species has originated from Southeast Asia and is widely distributed inIndia, China to Micronesia qnd Polynesia. It is growing in Malaysia, Indonesiaand throughout the Philippines. The plant is considered as a Weed in ricefields.

Tikog grows naturally in marshland areas in the Philippines, but is moreabundant in Mindanao, Bohol, Leyte and Samar. It grows at low altitude in settledareas, wet swampy places and abandoned rice paddies. It is found and utilized t6 .a less degree in Panayand Negros.

A well-drained marshy area, with soil high in organic matter or peat is anideal site for planting Tikog. Tikog also thrives in clay-loam or sandy-loam soilwith continuous adequate moisture all year round. It grows abundantly in ricepaddies where the soil is always wet.

Tikog can be propagated by seeds and suckers. The plant is best propagatedthrough suckers.

Tikog can b¢ propagated by seeds using the right germination media andhigher seedling survival could be ascertained when supplied with adequate amountof water. Wet or muddy soil with pasty consistency just enough for the seeds tostick on is the ideal germination media for Tikog.

Before planting, plow the area and harrow twice or more if necessary toreduce weed growth. If there are taUgrasses or sedge species of about a man'sheight, clear brush before plowing. If only short grasses are found, direct plowingmay be -done. After ptowing, harrow the area until it is leveled and freed fromvegetation.

Area to be planted should be cleared of weeds, grasses and other debris.Cultivation can be done using planting hoes, blunt bolos and pick mattocks. If thesite is a riceland, plowing is commonly employed.

Suckers can be planted at a distance of 25 x 25 em. More harvestable stalksare produced at this spacing. Also, yield increases as longer stalks are produced.When clumps are planted closely, this provides support for the stalks to growupwards.

Closer spacing of 25 x 25 cm produced taller stalks, more utilizable stalksper clump and greater yield per unit area than spacing of 50 x 50 x 100 em.

From a spacing of 10 x 10em; 15 x 15m and20x 25cm, the wider distanceof plants yielded the most harvestable stalks and the closer spacing yieldedlonger but fewer stalks.

The area to be planted should be cleared of weeds, grasses and other debrisusing planting hoe, bolos and pick mattocks. If the site is a riceland, plowing iscommonly employed.

In unirrigated marshland, the ideal time for field planting is during the onset ofthe rainy season. In areas where water is available all-year-round, outplantingcan be done anytime of the year.

Population density of 80,000 plants/ha could be adopted for Tikog productionto give a higher yield of the crop per unit area and to minimize the production ofnon-utilizable stalks.

Tikog grows up to an average of 1.47 cm daily for the first 20 days fromplanting. The harvestable stalks can reach an average length of 162.52 cm.

At a 25 x 25 m spacing, a hectare of Tikog has a population density of160,000 plants. A one-hectare Tikog plantation can produce as much as 2,520,000 - .harvestable stalks per harvest period. There are four harvest periods in one year.On the average, there are 15 harvestable stalks per clump per harvest period.Annually, an estimated 10,080,000 stalks can be harvested from a one-hectareTikogplantation.

Tikog planted using the planting density of 250,000 plants/ha got the highestyield of 1.89 million stalks followed by 3.23 million stalks observed under plantingdensity of 81,633 plants/ha. The least yield was recorded under the plantingdensity of 6,625 plants/ha which yielded only 1.17 million stalks/ha.

For a one-hectare Tikog plantation with a 25 x 25 cm spacing, a farmer needsP122,962 (for plantation establishment and maintenance).

Forty-eight percent (48%) ofthe amount or P59,216 is spent on (1) harvesting,(2) bundling and (3) drying.

Forty-three percent (43%) of P52,568 is incurred for (1) site preparation, (2)planting stock preparation, (3) collection, (4) planting and (5) maintenance activities.

One hectare Tikog plantation with a spacing of 25 x 25 cm can produce anaverage of 9,932,455 million stalks (first year).

On the second year, the yield is expected to increase by 75% from theprevious year of 17,796 million stalks.

On the third year, when the clumps have grown and expanded, the yieldincreased to 34,763,592 million stalks by 250%.

When the harvested stalks are sorted and bundled, it is assumed that 70%of the harvested stalks are long.

Thirty percent (30%) constitute the short stalks and 220 of these make upone bundle.

First yearSecond yearThkdyear

P 70,270.00P251 ,606.00P557,839.00

There are only two known major pests: Tikog stemborer and the GoldenApple snail.

A stemborer can be detected through the yellOWingof the leaves. The larvaeof Tikog stem borer can be found feeding inside the stalks usually starting fromthe base of the clump.

On the other hand, the Golden Apple snail is the same pest that infestsricefields. This pest inflicts damage on the stalks and clumps of Tikog. To controland minimize the population of snails, water logging of the plantation should beavoided.

: part of the stamen in seed plants that develops and containspollen and is usually borne on the stalk

ApicalBasketworkClumpConcave

: relating to the apex or tip in the growth of the plant: articles of planting materials: a closely compact group of plants: having a shape that is curving inward

The Philippines Recommends for Tikog Production: PCARRD Philippine

Recommends Series 78.

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