TY  - BOOK
AU  - Rodrigo V H L
AU  - Fernando K M E P
AU  - Kudaligama K V V S
AU  - Yapa P A J
TI  - Harvesting the rubber tree once in four days: A solution to current issues in the rubber industry in Sri Lanka
PY  - 2011///
PB  - Journal of the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka
KW  - Bark consumption
KW  - COP
KW  - Latex harvesting
KW  - Latex physiology
KW  - LOw frequency
KW  - Worker shortage
N1  - Source Year: 2011
N2  - Despite its 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 Lanakn 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. 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. Potentail long-term impact of this system on latex LHF in dry climates are also discussed
ER  -