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Published by the Fiber Industry Development Authority |
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Olympio B. Macarayan Supvg. Agriculturist, FIDA, Region XI |
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ABSTRACT A study was conducted in the farmers field in Davao from 1988 to 1990 which verified and evaluated the improved cultural fiber production technology components for three ramie varieties. Results showed that varieties Formosa and Saikeseishin had longer stalks and higher percentage of fiber recovery than with variety DES Strain. Nitrogen application at optimum level of 70 kg/ha per cropping per season significantly improved growth, yield and quality of ramie and its fiber. Saikeseishin fertilized at 140 kg/ha significantly increased tensile strength of the fiber. Irrespective of the days of harvesting cycle and cultivars used, ramie fertilized at 70 kg/ha generated an ROI of more than 100%. Davao occupies the largest production area for ramie, which is estimated to be producing an average 373 kilos per hectare per harvest. This is said to be low considering that average production output of 2,500 kg/ha/harvest is possible if specific cultural production technologies suited to Davao condition can beestablished. Improved technologies for ramie production have been developed and tested in the experiment stations. However, their application in the farmers' fields has yet to be evaluated. Specifically, the study aims to evaluate the performance and fiber quality of ramie cultivars under different rate of nitrogen fertilizers and cycle of harvesting, and the interaction effects of these factors and to determine the economic performance of the different level of technology for ramie production. A three-factor factorial experiment arranged in a split-split plot design with three applications was laid out in the farmers' field, with the cycles of harvesting---40 and 60 days cycle as the main plot; different levels of nitrogen fertilizers application---0.70 and 140 kg/ha, as the sub-plot; and ramie varieties---Saikeiseishin, Formosa and DES Strain, as the sub-plot. A total of 18 treatment combination were formed. Pre-and post-experimental soil testings were done on the farmer's field to determine edaphic characteristics, while data on the monthly rainfall were obtained from the city's wetaher station. Agronomic characteristics, fiber yield and quality were noted and analyzed using the F-test and DMRT to compare the treatment means. Economicsof production was analyzed in a simple cost. Formosa variety produced significantly longer stalks at 113.28 cm and higher fiber tensil strength of 15.47 kg/g-m than DES Strain with stalks and fiber tensile strength of 108.24 cm and 13.56 kg/g-m, respectively. Saikeseishin variety did not differ significantly with the two varieties. Application for nitrogen fertilizer significantly improved its growth and fiber yield. Fertilized at the rate of 70 kg N/ha, ramie attained a stalk length of 124.92 cm and a base diameter of 0.95 cm. At the same rate, ramie obtained a yield of 15.45 tons/ha of fresh stalks with extractable unbrushed and brushed decorticated fiber yield 537.98 and 409.11 kg/ha, respectively, and a fiber recovery of 3.71% with a tensile strength of 14.29 kg/g-m. Except for a higher tensil strength obtained with with higher fertilization rate, ramie growth and fiber yield did not differ from 70 kg N/ha, when fertilized at a rate 140 kg N/ha. At 40 days of harvesting, ramie stalks were significantly longer (111.96 cm) but with lower fiber recovery (2.78%) compared to harvesting 60 days after planting. At 60 days to harvest, stalks length was 109.97 cm and fiber recovery was 3.43%. Significant interaction effect of the different treatments was only observed in the tensil strength of the fibers. Irrespective of the days to harvest. Saikeseishin fertilized at 140 kg/ha produced fibers with more than 18 kg/g-m tensil strength. In terms of financial benefit derived from fertilizer application, the ROI was more than 100% at the rate of 70 kg N/ha, both at 40 and 60 days to harvest. Results of the soil analysis conducted before experimentation showed a sandy clay type of soil, acidic at pH 4.5 and containing 2% organic matter, 40 ppm of phosphorus and potassium level at 390. At the end of the experiment, decreased in soil acidity (pH 6.1), organic matter content (1%), and phosphorus level (34 ppm), while increased in potassium level (500) were monitored. During the experimentation, monthly rainfall registered at a mean of 135.16mm and a mean precipitation of 10.2 rainy days per month. Application
of 70 kgs. nitrogen per hectare of Urea is recommended for sandy-clay
loam soil with 1.0 to 2.0% organic matter content, average soil
pH of 5.75, P at 35 ppm and K at 445 ppm. Harvesting can be done
at 40 or 60 days cycles depending on the availability of basic
harvesting requirements like manpower, harvesting equipment,
and others. Primary considerations should also be given to the
price and demand of ramie fiber.
Stalk length: * Tensil strength: ** Number followed with similar letter has no significant difference at 1% DMRT.
Stalk length:
** Base diameter: ** Stalk Weight: **
Unbrushed Fiber:
** Brushed Fiber: ** Fiber Recovery: ** Tensil Strength: **
Stalk length:
** Harvesting Cycle: **
Nitrogen X Varieties:
**
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