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100			_aRodrigo V H L
245		0	_aHarvesting the rubber tree once in four days: A solution to current issues in the rubber industry in Sri Lanka
260			_bJournal of the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka _c2011
300			_a15-35
500			_aSource Year: 2011
520			_aDespite 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.
650			_aBark consumption
650			_aCOP
650			_aLatex harvesting
650			_aLatex physiology
650			_aLOw frequency
650			_aWorker shortage
700			_aFernando K M E P
700			_aKudaligama K V V S
700			_aYapa P A J
942			_cJS
999			_c60231 _d60231