Characterization of the Different Abaca-Based Agro-Ecosystems in Leyte, Philippines

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This study was conducted to provide baseline data on the agro-ecosystem characteristics needed by the development planners and policymakers specifically for under-utilized and neglected crops, such as abaca, at the east-central portion of the Philippine archipelago. The results revealed that the most common companion crops for abaca were anii (Erythrina fusca), narra (Pterocarpus indicus), coconut, fruit trees, and other forest trees. Among the areas sampled, biomass and fiber yield performance of abaca ranges from 200 kg/ha to 1,200 kg/ha, which is far below the potential and attainable yield. These areas were located along the central mountain range of the island (i.e., Leyte Cordillera). The main consumers of the produced raw fiber were the two pulping plants in the province, which can be considered as an advantage to those farms that are located nearest to it. Among the areas surveyed, soil samples had loam texture that ranged from sandy loam to clay loam and were slightly acidic, with pH of 4.44–6.38. Samples in the mountain area of Ormoc city (i.e., Site No. 03) showed the lowest pH, higher percentage of organic carbon, and lower extractable phosphorus. However, among the areas surveyed, more than three-fourths had higher exchangeable bases that resulted to higher cation exchange capacity values.