<![CDATA[Sago development requires plant material as superior seedlings for rehabilitation and replanting. Until 2016 two superior sago varieties were released, namely Molat sago varieties from Maluku in 2011 and Selatpanjang Meranti sago varieties from the Meranti Islands Regency, Riau in 2013. Indragiri Hilir Regency, Riau Province is one of the areas of natural sago growth, and producing sago starch . This district has the opportunity to develop sago palms as a potential and regional producer. In connection with that, a research has been conducted which aims to find out and obtain superior sago species from Indragiri Hilir Regency, from 2015 to 2017. The research method was conducted by observing the sago population with high yield potential. For the observation, 10 sample trees every year were selected in each location/village in Gaung Anak Serka District, Indragiri Hilir Regency, Riau Province. Data observations were carried out on the morphological characteristics of sago and suckers, sago starch production potential, and proximate analysis. Observation data were analyzed for diversity, standard deviation and coefficient of variance. Morphological observations and production of Bestari sago starch obtained an average leaf length of 8.00 m, diameter of the diameter of bottom stem 47.37 cm, circumference of the bottom stem 148.52 cm, the number of leaf scars on the leaf-free stem 53.23 scars, the number leaves on the crown 16.98 strands, the distance of leaf scar 12.42 cm, the length of the petiole 231.00 cm, the width of the petiole 9.25 cm, the thickness of the petiole 3.93 cm, the length of the rachis 660.33 cm, the length of the leaflets 155.59 cm, leaflets width 9.39 cm, and dry starch yield 254.94 kg per palm. Proximate analysis results on Bestari sago starch obtained an average water content of 13.00%, ash content of 0.60%, fat content of 0.83%, protein content of 0.84%, crude fiber content of 0.29%, and carbohydrate content was 84.34%, with 350 calories, Vitamin C 0.96 mg/100 gr sago starch, and total sugar around 1.43%. Hoping that sago Bestari variety will become the suckers resources for sago development in Indragiri Hilir Region, Riau Province and other region of Indonesia. ABSTRAK Pengembangan sagu membutuhkan bahan tanaman sebagai bibit unggul untuk rehabilitasi dan penanaman kembali. Sampai tahun 2016 telah dilepas dua varietas sagu unggul, yaitu varietas sagu Molat asal Maluku tahun 2011 dan varietas sagu Selatpanjang Meranti asal Kabupaten Kepulauan Meranti, Riau tahun 2013. Kabupaten Indragiri Hilir, Provinsi Riau adalah salah satu daerah pertumbuhan sagu alami dan penghasil pati sagu. Kabupaten ini memiliki peluang untuk dikembangkan tanaman sagu sebagai potensi dan penghasilan daerah. Sehubungan dengan itu, maka telah dilakukan penelitian yang bertujuan untuk mengetahui dan mendapatkan jenis sagu unggul asal Kabupaten Indragiri Hilir, sejak tahun 2015 sampai tahun 2017. Metode penelitian dilakukan dengan observasi terhadap populasi sagu potensi hasil tinggi. Untuk pengamatan telah dipilih sebanyak 10 pohon contoh setiap tahun di setiap lokasi/Desa di Kecamatan Gaung Anak Serka, Kabupaten Indragiri Hilir, Provinsi Riau. Pengamatan data dilakukan terhadap karakteristik morfologi tanaman sagu dan anakan, potensi produksi pati sagu, dan analisis proksimat. Data pengamatan dianalisis keragaman, simpangan baku dan koefisien keragamannya. Hasil pengamatan morfologi dan produksi pati sagu Bestari diperoleh rata-rata panjang bebas daun 8,00 m, diameter batang bawah 47,37 cm, lingkar batang bawah 148,52 cm, jumlah bekas pelepah daun pada batang bebas daun 53,23 buah, jumlah daun pada mahkota 16,98 helai, jarak antar pelepah 12,42 cm, panjang pelepah 231,00 cm,lebar pelepah 9,25 cm, tebal pelepah 3,93 cm, panjang daun 660,33 cm, panjang anak daun 155,59 cm, lebar anak daun 9,39 cm, dan produksi pati kering 254,94 kg per pohon. Hasil analisis proksimat pada pati sagu Bestari diperoleh rata-rata kadar air 13,00%, kadar abu 0,60%, kadar lemak 0,83%, kadar protein 0,84%, kandungan serat kasar 0,29%, dan kadar karbohidrat adalah 84,34%, dengan 350 kalori, Vitamin C 0,96 mg/100 gr pati sagu, dan total gula sekitar 1,43%. Diharapkan varietas sagu Bestari menjadi sumber benih untuk pengembangan sagu di Kabupaten Indragiri Hilir, Riau dan daerah Indonesia lainnya]]>
