Latex yield variation among Hevea brasiliensis clones grown under the agro- climate of South-West Ethiopia

Abstract

Hevea brasiliensis is the primary commercial source of natural rubber in the world and its latex is a source for many industrial inputs. The latex yield potential of rubber tree plantations has been lower than the estimated potential due to latex yield variation among rubber tree clones. Nine introduced and one indigenous Hevea brasiliensis clones were evaluated in Ethiopia Guraferda district from July 2018 to May 2020 to determine which clones provide a better latex yield for future rubber tree plantations. Ten Hevea brasiliensis clones were evaluated with ten trees of the same age selected randomly from the same plantation site for each clone. The latex yield was significantly varied both from clone to clone and from month to month during the study period. Mixed, RRIC101, and Malawi clones of Hevea brasiliensis produced the highest latex yield, whereas the TOLIK.B clone had the lowest. The highest average latex yield was obtained in June, which has a high rainfall with moderate temperature. The results of this study indicate that latex yield potential could be increased by mass planting of rubber tree clones which give more yield and resistance to diseases.