Effects of Different Tapping Rest Periods during Wintering and Summer Months on Dry Rubber Yield of Hevea Brasiliensis in Thailand

Abstract

In Thailand, the farmers tend to tap rubber trees as often as possible during the shortened favourable periods due to the erratic rainfall pattern and the long tapping rest during wintering/summer season, lasting for three months. Wintering pattern is well known having an impact on yield. This impact is related to relationship between long term yield, climatic parameters and to the physiology of the rubber tree itself. In Thailand, the long rest from tapping was questioned as it concerns the duration and the months. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of different durations of tapping rest during wintering season on the latex's yield. Combinations of duration and months of tapping rest were tested on yield over a six-year period of latex harvesting. Decreasing the duration of the tapping rest from three months to zero did not induce any significant higher yield per tree over the six years of tapping. (Resume d'auteur)