Source Year: 2002

This paper studies the impact on phenology, epidemiology and subsequently on production of artificial defoliation for the control of Colletotrichum gloeosporiodes [Glomerella cingulata] leaf fall of Hevea brasiliensis for the susceptible rubber tree clone GT 1. Large-scale observations of tree phenology conducted in Gabon over 4 years show the impact of the treatment on foliage behaviour. These results provide an understanding on how the trees escape from the disease and how the occurrence of an epidemic is prevented. A 50;increase in foliage density led to around a 40;increase in yields on the susceptible clone GT 1.