Replacing traditional half spiral cut by a quarter cut with Ethephon; a simple approach to solve current issues related to latex harvesting in rubber industry

Abstract

Harvesting rubber latex is rather labour intensive since trees are traditionally tapped half spiral, once in two days (S/2 d2) resulting in unnecessary waste of tree bark. High cost of production, shortage of harvesters and reduced economic lifespan are the key issues in rubber plantations related to harvesting. Low intensity harvesting (LIH) systems (i.e. either reduction in harvesting frequency and/or tapping cut length) of rubber appear to be a practical solution to these issues by bringing down the labour requirement and the cost of production. Of these, only the reduction in harvesting frequency has been tried in Sri Lanka. Hence, the present study was aimed to develop new LIH systems with shorter tapping cuts. This study comprised two stage stimulant (Ethephon) based field trials to evaluate a wide range of LIH systems. The overall yield given by traditional S/2 d2 was used as the standard in evaluation. Stimulation protocols of different harvesting systems were adjusted from time to time to achieve this standard. In addition, growth and physiological parameters of latex and the financial viability of the principal system were also assessed. Among the LIH systems tested, S/4 d3 (tapping quarter spiral once in three days) was successful in providing benefits, such as increase in both overall profits and harvesters' income and reduction in harvesting cost and overall cost of production. The overall bark consumption was also greatly reduced. Above all, it allows tapping the virgin bark of base panels for over 24 years. Popularization of this approach is proposed after large scale commercial testing.

Performances of low frequency rubber tapping system with rainguard in high rainfall area in Myanmar

“…It is also found in the result that although LFRTS, T 4 and T 5 , consumed the thicker bark shaving per tapping than the other treatments, the total bark consumption of T 4 and T 5 during the study period were apparently lower. It replicates the finding by Rodrigo (2012) that although bark shaving per tapping of LFRTS is thicker than that of the conventional tapping, S/2 d2, the effect is marginal compared to overall bark saving. Vijayakuma et al (2003) reported his finding in India that LFRTS could extend at least four to eight years in the productive lifespan comparing with the conventional tapping system, S/2 d2.…”

“…Besides, lower bark consumption causes delaying commencement of tapping on renewed barks resulting longer resting period for the renewed bark generation (Kudaligama et al, 2010). Hence, potential higher yield could be expected from the renewed bark under LFRTS (Vijayakumar et al, 2003;Rodrigo et al, 2012).…”

“…It enables to reduce tapper requirement and addresses the problems of skilled labour shortage (Chan et al, 1983;Hassan et al, 1999;Soumahin et al, 2010), without reduction in level of yield, compared to that of the conventional tapping system. In addition, longer economic lifespan of the tree could be expected under LFRTS because of its lower bark consumption (Vijayakumar et al, 2003;Rodrigo, 2012).…”

Lifespan of Rubber Cultivation Can Be Shortened for High Returns: A Financial Assessment on Simulated Conditions in Sri Lanka

“…Considering the cost of the application technique and long-term experience (Rodrigo and Kudaligama, 2009), the latter is proven to be the best way to obtain required higher yields associated with reduced lifespan. In general, stimulants are applied with low frequency in tapping which requires less labour hence reduction in the overall cost (Rodrigo et al ., 2012). More importantly, no increase in TPD, instead a decrease, has been recorded where low frequency tapping systems were adopted with ethephon applications (Obouayeba et al ., 2011).…”

Estimulación de árboles de caucho bajo diferentes frecuencias de sangría en el Noroeste de Colombia

“…A nivel mundial, la explotación del caucho natural basada en sangría de baja intensidad con aplicación de estimulantes a base de etileno (de Faÿ & Jacob, 2018) ha favorecido ampliamente la disminución en los costos de producción y la mano de obra (Rodrigo et al, 2012;Vijayakumar et al, 2001). Por ejemplo, mediante la aplicación del ácido 2-cloroetil fosfónico (etefón), se retrasa el cierre de los vasos laticíferos, pues esto aumenta la permeabilidad de las membranas, prolonga la salida del látex y, por consiguiente, aumenta la producción (Liu, 2016).…”