Inventory of textile fiber yielding plants in Kalinga [Philippines]

Fiber crops are industrial field crops grown for their fibers used in the manufacture of paper, cloth, rope and textiles. In the Philippines, the fiber crops industry is one of the major pillars of the economy, generating employment and foreign exchange. The Philippines has been the world's top producer of abaca, however, Ecuador's share in the world market has been increasing, threatening the Philippines' position. Aside from abaca, other natural fibers in the Philippines that may be tapped are ramie, jute, kenaf and minor fiber crops used by the pulp, paper and textile industries. This project identified potential natural fiber crops in several municipalities of Kalinga. The fiber crops were collected and their agroclimatic characterized. It was found out in the study that Pinukpuk municipality is populated with native banana or bowsing hemp based from the number of species individual population followed with coir, pineapple, pita floja, rattan jute and cotton, respectively. Tinglayan municipality is rich in term of true hemp or marijuana while Tabuk, Balban, Pasil and Rizal are good sources of abaca or Manila hemp. Lubuagan municipality is the least source of abaca or Manila hemp. The following species have the following scientific classification to wit: a) Cotton - common name, scientific name: Bossypium; vernacular name: Kapas; It has four species namely: Gossypium barbadense, G. hirsutum, G. arboreum and G. herbaceum. b) Jute/C. olitorius (for upland species) Okra - common name; scientific name: Corchorus capsularis olitoruis; vernacular name: okra or saluyot, c) Abaca - Common name: Manila hemp; scientific name: Musa textilis; Vernacular name: Saba ti sunggo; 4. Agave- common name: Maguey; Scientific name: Agave fourcroydes/Agave cantala; vernacular name: Espa-espada; d). Pineapple - common name; scientific name: Ananas comosus; vernacular name: Pinya, e) Pita floja - common name; scientific name: Aechmea magdalenae; vernacular name: pinya-pinyahan; f). Coir - common name: scientific name: Cocus nucifera; vernacular name: Bunot ti nyog; g). Broom root - common name; scientific name: Mulenbergia macroura; vernacular name: ruot.