000			02182nam a2200229Ia 4500
008			220216s9999 xx 000 0 und d
100			_aRodrigo VHL
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
520			_aDespite its importance, latex harvesting in rubber plantations poses significant problems demending high level of skilled workers and cost of production. Low frequesting harvesting (LFH) insted 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 frequecy has been limited only up to once in three days (S/2 d3) for Sri Lankan 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 system. The overall yield given by the traditional S/2 d2 was used as 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 303;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. Potential long-term impact of this system on latex yields and socio-economic sustainability, awareness programmes and limitations of LFH 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 KMEP
700			_aKudaligama KVVS
700			_aYapa PAJ
942			_cJS
999			_c60232 _d60232