CULTIVATION
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Soil Requirement:
Abaca grows in clay loam and sandy clay loam types of soil, rich in organic matter, loose, friable and well-drained. The water table is preferably 80 cm with 60%-80% saturation. the soil has pH level of 6.0-7.0 and elevation of less than 1,000 m above sea level.
Climatic Requirement:
The optimum temperature requirement for abaca has not been fully determined, but it grows in areas with temperature of 20°C during cool months and 25°C during warm months. A relative humidity of 78% to 85% and evenly distributed rainfall throughout the year are conditions conducive to good growth.
Plant Description:
- Shade-tolerant, banana-shaped plant with up to 8 m height, unequal leaf base and smaller and more pointed leaves than other banana species;
- Pseudostem composed of about 12-13 leaf sheaths;
- Average diameter of pseudostem about 15/20 cm at base mostly green, sometime irregularly streaked deep brown, red, purple or almost black towards the base;
- Fruits, small bearing many seeds;
- More than 600 varieties recorded, about 20 varieties permanently cultivated;
- Fiber length up to 3 meter;
- Matures from 595-720 days from planting;
Planting materials:
- Planting materials include disease-free tissue cultured plant lets, corm cut into 4 pieces with one eye each (seed piece) and sucker.
- Young suckers are usually used for replanting missing hills.
Selection and establishment of abaca nursery:
- The site for an abaca nursery should be: located in flat or rolling areas; accessible or not too far from a road; well-drained; near a good source of water.
- The area should be manually cleared and cleaned.
Rate of Fertilization:
- Two (2) bags Ammonium sulfate at the time of planting.
- Four (4) bags Ammonium sulfate eight (8) months after planting.
- Four (4) bags complete fertilizer 21 months after planting.
- For established plantain, apply complete Fertilization once, before or after the rainy season, at the rate of 1/4 kg per clump/hill or 12 bags/hertare per year.