A study on the performance of 10 abaca cultivars grown under coconut was conducted at the EVIRFES in Leyte, from 1985 to 1991. Results indicated that cultivars Linliblin, Putian, Musa tex 80 and Linawaan adapted while Inosa and Musa tex 81 performed poorly.

Intercropping abaca with coconut is a common practice among farmers in the Visayas. However, benefits derivrd from intercropping is notmaximized. This is due to, among other factors, poor performance of some abaca varieties when grown under coconut. Hence, a study on the varietal identification of abaca varieties that are suitable for intercropping with coconut is important for recommendation for farmers' adoption.

To evaluate the growth and yield performance of the different promising abaca cultivars when planted under established coconut plantation.

Ten promising abaca cultivars were planted at a distance of 2x2 m in a 20-year old coconut plantation, following an RCBD layout with three replications. Data on agronomic characteristics and fiber yields on the different cultivars were gathered and analyzed using using RCB Design. The insidence of pest and diseases were also monitored.

At 12 months afterplanting (MAP), Linliblin had the longest stalk (108.13 cm) and the wildest base (7.65 cm), while Inosa and Musa tex 81 had the shortest stalk (43.69 and 60.78 cm, respectively) and smallest base (3.50 and 4.86 cm, respectively). Aside from Linliblin, cultivars Putian, Musa tex 80 and 82, and Linminlay werealso observed to have grown tall and sturdy. At 18 MAP, Musa tex 82 produced the highest number of suckers at an average of 3.33 while Musa tex 81 and Inosa produced the least, at an average of 1.47 and 1.57, respectively.

On the fourth year of harvesting, Malaniceron, Putian, Minenonga, Musa tex 82 and Linawaan had relatively higher number of stalks harvested than the other cultivars. Inosa on the other hand, had the least number of stalks harvested but with the heaviest average weight of stalks at 9.17 kg. In the case of Putian, Malaniceron and Musa tex 82, the weights of the harvestable stalks increased from the first to fourth year of harvesting, inspite of their increasing sucker procuction, In terms of fiber recovery, Musa tex 82 gave the highest at 2.58%.

Slug caterpillar (Thosea sinensis Walker) and corm weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus Germar) were observed to be minimal in number.

It can be concluded that abaca cultivars Linliblin, Putian, Musa tex 80 & 82 and Linawaan are appropriate for intercropping with coconut. On the other hand, cultivars Inosa and Musa tex 81 are not suitable for planting under established coconut plantation.

Table 1. Agronomic characteristics of 10 abaca cultivars grown under coconut
Cultivar	Average plant height at 12 MAP (cm)	Average base diameter at 12 MAP (cm)	Average number of suckers at 18 MAP
Linawaan Minenonga Inosa Musa tex 80 Musa tex 81 Musa tex 82 Linminlay Linliblin Malaniceron Putian	87.87 75.60 43.69 102.93 60.78 73.40 92.07 108.13 84.67 90.33	6.57 5.90 3.50 7.52 4.86 6.23 6.70 7.65 6.55 7.22	1.67 2.60 1.57 2.27 1.47 3.33 1.82 1.73 2.07 2.13
C.V. (%) HSD (0.01)	19.25 42.91	15.71 1.86	9.18 1.07

Table 2. Abaca stalks and fiber yield of 10 abaca cultivars grown under coconut, on the fourth year of harvesting.
Cultivar	Average number of stalks	Average weight of stalks	Average weight of dry fiber per stalk (kg)	Average Percent fiber recovery*
Linawaan Minenonga Inosa Musa tex 80 Musa tex 81 Musa tex 82 Linminlay Linliblin Malaniceron Putian	7.71 8.44 5.40 6.37 6.00 8.87 6.71 6.49 8.73 8.67	5.13 5.68 9.17 4.86 6.47 8.50 4.70 7.20 8.80 8.93	0.017 0.105 0.220 0.104 0.150 0.219 0.060 0.174 0.153 0.208	2.14 1.88 2.43 2.17 2.30 2.58 1.30 2.36 1.69 2.31
C.V. (%) HSD (0.01) HSD (0.05)	13.88 2.73	26.45 3.82	33.330 0.004	12.21 0.71

*Based on hand stripping using 17 serrations per inch hand stripping knife.