BY: JOSEPH JOHN J. PEREZ
LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 19 (PIA) – The Bicol University College of Agriculture and Forestry (BUCAF) has recently inaugurated Abaca Tissue Culture Laboratory capable of producing new varieties of abaca that can resist pests and high yielding.
The laboratory was inaugurated, along with other vital facilities of the Guinobatan-based BUCAF in its observance of the annual agri-forestry fair held this year starting on February 17 until 21.
“We are cultivating abaca plantlets of three varieties in the laboratory that is expected to be virus resistant and high yielding. The varieties called hybrid 1, hybrid 2 and hybrid 3 are being propagated and tested to withstand the infestation particularly the buncy top which is considered as the most destructive among abaca viruses” laboratory staff Emily Mella said.
“We are also conducting multi-locational trials in partnership with the Catanduanes State University, for further evaluation of our experimentations,” Mella added.
Other facilities that will be inaugurated are vermicomposting building, clonal nursery and carabao project.
Abaca, known as Manila hemp, is considered as one of the earliest export products of the Bicol region.
During the Spanish era particularly during Galleon Trade, abaca hemp were loaded in Magallanes town in Sorsogon as the galleon from Manila was checked for its sea-worthiness to sail the Pacific ocean. It was tagged as the “manila hemp” due to the fact that merchandize coming from the Philippines were presumed as “Manila” products when it reached Acapulco, Mexico.
In the early 1900s abaca fiber found high value from its use in the manufacture of cordage, in response for the need for a material which retains its strength when wet. The second period of abaca-based development led to the surge of the abaca handicraft industry, especially for the Bicol region, although some historical accounts mention the Filipinos using cloth, footwear and other crafts from abaca before the Spanish period.
One major challenge to the abaca industry came with technological developments which led to the production of synthetic substitutes to abaca. This adversely affected the demand for the natural products from the plant. Problems on pests and diseases of abaca like corm weevil, stem rot, dry sheath rot, slug caterpillar, buncy top and mosaic also contributed to the down trend of the abaca industry.
Now, the abaca industry is gaining resurgence. There is a growing preference among Japanese consumers for quality bags made of natural products.
The present and emerging development of abaca industry capture opportunities from the demand for environmentally responsible or “green” production systems and products, such as interior goods, bags and giftware that are made from natural materials like abaca and other natural materials like silk and cotton. (MAL/JJP-PIA5/Albay)
LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 19 (PIA) – The Bicol University College of Agriculture and Forestry (BUCAF) has recently inaugurated Abaca Tissue Culture Laboratory capable of producing new varieties of abaca that can resist pests and high yielding.
The laboratory was inaugurated, along with other vital facilities of the Guinobatan-based BUCAF in its observance of the annual agri-forestry fair held this year starting on February 17 until 21.
“We are cultivating abaca plantlets of three varieties in the laboratory that is expected to be virus resistant and high yielding. The varieties called hybrid 1, hybrid 2 and hybrid 3 are being propagated and tested to withstand the infestation particularly the buncy top which is considered as the most destructive among abaca viruses” laboratory staff Emily Mella said.
“We are also conducting multi-locational trials in partnership with the Catanduanes State University, for further evaluation of our experimentations,” Mella added.
Other facilities that will be inaugurated are vermicomposting building, clonal nursery and carabao project.
Abaca, known as Manila hemp, is considered as one of the earliest export products of the Bicol region.
During the Spanish era particularly during Galleon Trade, abaca hemp were loaded in Magallanes town in Sorsogon as the galleon from Manila was checked for its sea-worthiness to sail the Pacific ocean. It was tagged as the “manila hemp” due to the fact that merchandize coming from the Philippines were presumed as “Manila” products when it reached Acapulco, Mexico.
In the early 1900s abaca fiber found high value from its use in the manufacture of cordage, in response for the need for a material which retains its strength when wet. The second period of abaca-based development led to the surge of the abaca handicraft industry, especially for the Bicol region, although some historical accounts mention the Filipinos using cloth, footwear and other crafts from abaca before the Spanish period.
One major challenge to the abaca industry came with technological developments which led to the production of synthetic substitutes to abaca. This adversely affected the demand for the natural products from the plant. Problems on pests and diseases of abaca like corm weevil, stem rot, dry sheath rot, slug caterpillar, buncy top and mosaic also contributed to the down trend of the abaca industry.
Now, the abaca industry is gaining resurgence. There is a growing preference among Japanese consumers for quality bags made of natural products.
The present and emerging development of abaca industry capture opportunities from the demand for environmentally responsible or “green” production systems and products, such as interior goods, bags and giftware that are made from natural materials like abaca and other natural materials like silk and cotton. (MAL/JJP-PIA5/Albay)
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