ABACA Activities in the Philippines - Unido

Ref. No. CFC/FIGHF/09 CFC/UNIDO/FIDA 51
B.2 Adaptability of Selected Abaca (Musa textilis nee) Varieties Under Different
Agro-climatic Conditions in the Philippines 2
ABSTRACT
Eight (8) selected abaca varieties were assessed for their adaptability
in three (3) locations in the Philippines. The entries were. Musa tex 51, Abuab
and Lausigon from Bicol, Inosa, Linawaan and Laguis from Visayas,
Maguindanao and Tangongon from Mindanao. These were grown in Labo,
Camarines Norte, in Abuyog, Leyte and in Mawab, Compostela Valley.
The interaction effect of location and entry on fiber yield was
significant. The varieties responded differently to location;. In Bicol, Inosa was
the top yielder while in Leyte, it was Maguindanao. If the trend on harvest
would continue in the succeeding harvests, Inosa and Maguindanao shall be
recommended for Bicol and Leyte, respectively.
A significant linear correlation was observed between number of
harvestable stalks and the following agronomic characters: number of stalks,
number of leafsheaths and stalk base & middle diameter. It also revealed that
with respect to dry fiber content, stalk length had positive effect as opposed to
number of stalks per hill and stalk top diameter which had both inverse effect.
Key words: adaptability, abaca, Musa textilis Nee, Manila hemp, agro-climatic conditions, Philippines
2 Paper presented during the International Dissemination Seminar of the CFC-UNIDO assisted
project Abaca—Improvement of Fiber Extraction and Identification of Higher Yielding Varieties
held on 19 October 2004 at Renaissance New World Hotel, Makati City, Philippines.