Harvesting the rubber tree once in four days; a solution to current issues in the rubber industry in Sri Lanka

Abstract

<p class="Default">Despite it’s importance, latex harvesting in rubber plantations poses significant problems demanding high level of skilled workers and cost of production. Low frequency harvesting (LFH) instead of traditional half spiral-once in two days system (S/2 d2), appears to be a practical solution to arrest these issues. Reduction of harvesting frequency has been limited only up to once in three days (S/2 d3) for Sri Lankan genotypes. Therefore based on some preliminary investigations, the present study was aimed at developing a suitable protocol for harvesting the rubber tree once in four days with the half spiral cut length (S/2 d4). In addition to the small scale genotypic comparison, the study comprised the commercial testing of S/2 d4 system. The overall yield given by the traditional S/2 d2 was used as the standard for the comparison and the stimulation protocol of this system was adjusted to obtain similar yields. <p class="Default"> The yield given by S/2 d4 under the stimulation protocol, applying 3.3% Ethephon (ET) once a month was comparable with that of the traditional S/2 d2 only in the wet areas of the country. Latex physiological parameters assured the sustainability of the stimulation protocol in all genotypes tested except in RRIC 102. At commercial level, S/2 d4 system has resulted in 19% reduction in the cost of production, 22% increase in overall profitability, 26% increase in harvesters’ income and 50% reduction in worker requirement in harvesting. Potential long-term impact of this system on latex yields and socio-economic sustainability, awareness programmes and limitations of LFH in dry climates are also discussed.