ABACÁ

Musa textilis
Musaceae
 INTRODUCTION
• Primarily grown in the Philippines, particularly in
the Bicol, Samar, and Leyte regions.
• regarded as a "cash crop" for many rural farmers.
• one of the strongest natural fibers in the world
and has a wide range of applications.
• Historically, abaca fibers have been used for
making ropes, twines, and textiles. In modern
industries, it is used in the production of specialty
paper, tea bags, currency notes, and even as a
component in automotive parts and composite
materials.
• prized for its sustainable and eco-friendly
properties, as it is biodegradable and renewable .
VARIETIES
• Laylay, Inosa, Linawaan, Sinamok, Abuab, Putian,
Libuton, Tangongon, Bungulanon and
Maguindanao.
1. Lay-lay

Description: Lay-lay is a variety of abaca commonly found in the

Characteristics:
-The fibers from this variety are known for being moderately strong and
long, which makes them suitable for rope and twine production.
- grows well in sandy or loamy soils with moderate rainfall.
- is often considered a variety that is resistant to certain pests and
diseases, making it more robust for farmers.
2. Inosa

Description: The Inosa variety is primarily found in the Bicol region and
has been widely grown for its fiber quality.

Characteristics:
- Inosa fibers are relatively coarse and strong, which makes them ideal
for ropes and other heavy-duty applications.
- This variety is typically grown in volcanic soils, which enhances its
overall fiber quality.
- Inosa is adaptable to various climates but performs best in tropical
regions with abundant rainfall.
3. Linawaan
Description: Linawaan is an abaca variety known for its distinctive fiber
strength and quality, commonly found in the provinces of Albay and
Camarines Sur.

Characteristics:
- The fibers of Linawaan are smooth, long, and strong, making them highly
desirable for producing fine textiles and specialty papers.
- The plant grows well in fertile volcanic soils and is highly resistant to pests
and diseases.
- is often cultivated at higher elevations, where the cooler climate improves
fiber quality.
4. Sinamok

Description: Sinamok is another variety grown primarily in the Bicol

Characteristics:
- produces fibers that are of medium length and strength, suitable for
rope production and lower-grade paper products.
- thrive in areas with regular rainfall and good drainage, often found in
more mountainous regions.
- known for being more resilient to wind damage, making it suitable for
coastal and exposed areas.
5. Abuab
Description: The Abuab variety is known for its high fiber yield and
strength, found in different regions of the Philippines.

Characteristics:
- The fibers from this variety are generally strong but coarser than
those of the high-end varieties like Linawaan.
- is commonly used for making ropes, twines, and other utility
products.
- Abuab thrives in both fertile soils and well-drained areas and is
resistant to many common diseases that affect abaca plants.
6. Putian
Description: Putian is a variety typically found in the Visayan regions of
the Philippines, known for its consistency in fiber quality.

Characteristics:
- Putian fibers are long, fine, and smooth, making them ideal for
premium paper products and textiles.
- This variety does well in tropical climates, especially in regions with
regular rainfall and well-drained soils.
- grows well under both irrigated and rainfed conditions and can be
found in both coastal and upland areas.
7. Libuton
Description: Libuton is an abaca variety primarily grown in the central
and southern parts of the Philippines, particularly in the Bicol region.

Characteristics:
- It produces medium-strength fibers that are commonly used for
making ropes and other durable products.
- resistant to certain environmental stresses, including typhoons, and
can withstand exposure to high winds.
- The variety thrives in sandy loam soils with good drainage, making it a
viable option for farmers in coastal or lowland areas.
8. Tangongon
Description: Tangongon is a variety found mainly in the Mindanao
region, known for its good fiber quality and high yield.

Characteristics:
-Tangongon fibers are of medium to strong quality, suitable for making
ropes, bags, and industrial textiles.
- less susceptible to diseases and pests and is relatively hardy.
- performs well in areas with consistent rainfall and can tolerate both
high and moderate altitudes.
9. Bungulanon
Description: Bungulanon is another abaca variety that grows in the provinces
of the Philippines, particularly in areas known for fertile, volcanic soils.

Characteristics:
- The fibers produced by Bungulanon are relatively coarse and short, often
used for utility products such as ropes, mats, and baskets.
- is adaptable to a variety of soil types but thrives best in rich, well-drained
soils.
- is also known for being resilient against pests, making it easier to maintain in
a plantation setting.
10. Maguindanao
Description: The Maguindanao variety is named after the province of
Maguindanao in Mindanao. It is recognized for its medium-quality fiber
and its ability to grow in different environmental conditions.
Characteristics:
- Maguindanao fibers are not as fine or long as the premium varieties
but are sufficiently strong for industrial applications such as ropes and
bags.
- is hardy and resistant to drought conditions, which makes it a suitable
choice for farmers in more arid areas of Mindanao.
- grows best in moderately acidic soils and can tolerate varying
climates, though it needs regular care to ensure maximum fiber yield.
Cultural and Management
• Climatic and Soil Requirements
Climate: Thrives in tropical climates with temperatures between 25°C to 30°C,
requiring 1,500–2,500 mm of rainfall annually.
Soil: Prefers well-drained, fertile soils (pH 5.5–6.5), such as loam or sandy loam.
• Propagation
Vegetative: The most common method, using disease-free suckers with at least 2-3
buds.
Sexual: Rarely used due to low success and long germination.
• Selection of Planting Materials
Use healthy, disease-free suckers from well-established plants for better fiber quality.
• Land Preparation and Planting
Land Prep: Clear the field, till soil to 15-30 cm, and incorporate organic matter.
Planting: Space suckers 2-3 meters apart. Plant during the rainy season for optimal
growth.
• Water Management
Irrigation: Abaca requires consistent moisture. Use drip or furrow irrigation where rainfall is
insufficient.
Drainage: Ensure proper drainage to prevent waterlogging and root rot.
• Weed Control
Use hand weeding, mulching, and selective herbicides to manage weeds.
• Cover Cropping / Intercropping
Grow legumes for soil fertility and intercrop with crops like coconut or corn to diversify income.
• Fertilization
Apply organic fertilizers (compost, manure) during land prep. Top-dress with nitrogenous fertilizers
(urea) 3-4 months after planting.
• Specialized Management
Pruning: Remove damaged leaves to maintain plant health.
Pest Management: Implement Integrated Pest Management (IPM), monitoring for pests like
abaca caterpillars.
Virus Control: Use certified disease-free suckers and remove infected plants immediately.
Pest and Disease Management
1. Insect Pests
• Abaca Caterpillar: Defoliates plants, reducing fiber yield. Managed
with IPM and insecticides.
• Leaf-Eating Beetle: Damages leaves, affecting plant health. Controlled
through manual removal and insecticides.
• Mealybugs: Suck sap and transmit diseases. Controlled with neem oil
and biological predators.
• Scale Insects: Attack stems, and weakening plants. Managed with
systemic insecticides and manual removal.
Harvesting
• Maturity Indices
Pseudostem: Turns yellow or brown, indicating the plant is mature.
Fiber Quality: The fibers become long, strong, and ready for extraction.
Leaf Shedding: Lower leaves start to die off.
• Methods of Harvesting
Manual Harvesting: Cut the mature pseudostem near the ground using
a machete. The outer layers are peeled to extract the fiber.
Annual Harvesting: Abaca is harvested every 10-12 months after
maturity.
Harvesting (for plantation crops)
Maturity indices of banana
Methods of harvesting
Primary Processing
Secondary Processing
Postharvest Handling
Packinghouse operation
Packaging
Transport
Storage
Ripening
Diseases
Physiological Disorders
Marketing channels for domestic
trade
Cost and Return
Utilization
References
• https://www.redalyc.org/journal/1799/179975180013/html/#:~:text=
Some%20abaca%20varieties%20examples%20are,2021%3B%20Hidal
go%2C%201952
).
• https://abacafiberph.wordpress.com/cultivation/
• https://www.da.gov.ph/agri-chief-backs-research-on-transboundary-c
rop-pests-and-diseases/
Group members