Abaca: a general review on its characteristics, productivity, and market in the world

The abaca also known as cañamo of manila, produces a natural fiber that is known as the most resistant worldwide natural fiber, that has properties like resistance to salinity, mechanical strength, flexibility, and durability. The unique characteristics of fiber have caused an increase in its use in many industries. However, the cultivation of abaca is threatened by the presence of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense, one of the most important diseases which has been considered the most lethal, due to the scarcity of existing control methods. The article aims to highlight recent data about the characteristics of the plant and its fiber, crop management, productivity, and the market as an approach updating the current knowledge regarding the abaca. It was found that some characteristics of abaca fiber such as strength and physical properties depend on the position of its leaves, on the maturity of the plant, and also on the fiber extraction system. Regarding fiber extraction, it is mentioned that there are two types of methods (stripping and decortication). Concerning productivity, there exists a considerable difference between the ways of bundle extraction, for instance, the hand stripping technique produces about 20 kg of fiber bundles per day. It is concluded that abaca has great potential as a crop that could boost the markets of various countries. Though the information available on this crop is scarce, it is necessary to increase research about its production and management to promote greater use.