Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 12
Abaca (Musa textilis Nee) Breeding
in the Philippines
Antonio G. Lalusin and Maria Lea H. Villavicencio
Abstract Abaca (
Musa textilis
Nee.), a plant native to the Philippines, is the source
of fiber known internationally as Manila hemp. It is indigenous to the Philippines
whose favorable climatic condition and volcanic soils are suited to its cultivation. It
is often used as raw material for cordage, clothing, and various handicrafts.
Furthermore, the fibers can be manufactured into specialty papers such as currency
notes, filter papers, stencil papers, and tea bags, among others. The abaca industry is
a major dollar earner and an important export crop of the country. Due to the current
concern for biodegradable products and forest conservation, it is expected that the
abaca industry will continue to flourish in both domestic and international markets.
With the advent of new uses of abaca, the crop will be extensively utilized for more
industrial applications because it is a natural and superior material. The Philippine
abaca industry continues to make a stronghold in both international and domestic
markets generating US$80 M annually from 1996 to 2000. Being an export-
oriented commodity, the country's abaca industry has maintained its status as the
world's largest producer accounting for 97 % share of world imports. However, the
abaca industry is still relying solely on traditional varieties, and due to limited
attention devoted to sustained varietal improvement, the old abaca varieties had
outlived their usefulness and now become easy prey for disease devastation.
Different plant breeding techniques are employed to develop abaca varieties
possessing desirable traits like high fiber yield, good fiber quality, and high degree
of resistance to major diseases of abaca. With conventional breeding method
coupled with the recent advances in molecular biology and biotechnology, a more
directed solution to the disease problem of the industry can now be identified. It is
possible to isolate resistance genes from abaca varieties or in wild relatives. With
basic knowledge on mechanisms of abaca-pathogen interactions, similar
approaches can be applied to abaca breeding to produce durable resistance at a
much faster pace. These improved abaca varieties can either be used directly for
commercial planting or as genetic stocks to develop high-yielding varieties resistant
to various diseases. The availability of these improved resistant high-yielding
varieties backed by appropriate marketing strategies and employed with sound
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