Stem cut: An alternative propagation technology for rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) tree species

Abstract

Rubber tree is known to be the white gold tree species in Mindanao Philippines due to its high priced latex product. It is a seasonal tree which has problems on seed propagation thus; stem cut rubber was tested for sprouting and rooting potentials as affected by stem parts and levels of alpha naphthalene acetic acid (ANAA). The experiment employed a split-split plot design in lay-out and data analysis. The results indicate that at 75 days of observation, brown stem cut rubber significantly gave higher rate of survival (74%) as compared to 41% in green stem cut. No ANAA (control treatment) was significantly lower in survival rate of 48.3% compared with 65.8 and 58.3% in 1 tbsp/3 lit. H2O and 1 tbsp/1 lit. H2O, respectively with no interaction effects observed. Brown stem part significantly performed better than the young stem parts (green stem cut) as affected by the levels of ANAA. Lower concentration of ANAA (1 tbsp/3 lit. H2O) gives better sprouts and rooting potentials as compared to the control treatment and higher concentration of the growth hormone with interaction effects. This indicated that older stem part and lower level of ANAA application would mean greater potential of propagating rubber tree through stem cut technology, thus alternative propagation technology during seed off year in rubber would be addressed.