Articles
Effectiveness of commercially available selected water-based and oil-based ethephon formulations as a yield stimulant of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis)
Authors:
N. P. S. N. Karunarathne ,
Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka, Dartonfield, Agalawatta, LK
L. T. B. K. Fernando,
Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka, Dartonfield, Agalawatta, LK
K. V. V. S. Kudaligama,
Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka, Dartonfield, Agalawatta, LK
W. G. D. Lakmini,
University of Ruhuna, Kamburupitiya, LK
About W. G. D.
Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture
N. N. Abewardhana,
Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka, Dartonfield, Agalawatta, LK
P. D. T. L. Madushani,
Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka, Dartonfield, Agalawatta, LK
M. K. P. Perera,
Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka, Dartonfield, Agalawatta, LK
P. Seneviratne,
Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka, Dartonfield, Agalawatta, LK
V. H. L. Rodrigo
Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka, Dartonfield, Agalawatta, LK
Abstract
Rubber industry plays a major role in the economy of Sri Lanka. Two types of commercial ethephon mixtures i.e. water-based and oil-based are presently marketed in Sri Lanka to use as yield stimulant of rubber. Though the yield performance of these mixtures had been studied, no proper investigation has been made on effectiveness of these two types of commercial ethephon mixtures on factors affecting latex regeneration and flow of Hevea brasiliensis.
Mature rubber plantation with RRIC 121 genotype tapped on first virgin panel (BO-I) with S/2 d4 (half spiral once in four days) system was selected for the study. Yield related factors and latex physiological parameters of rubber trees stimulated with two types of commercial ethephon mixtures were determined on each tapping day during June - August, 2018.
Daily latex volume per tree, daily dry rubber yield per tree (g/t/t), latex thiol content, latex polyphenol content and plugging index showed a similar pattern of variation between the rubber trees stimulated with water-based and oil-based ethephon over the experimental period and the variations were not statistically significant. Oil-based ethephon stimulated rubber trees had a significantly higher latex dry rubber content (43.80±0.37, 42.69±0.47, 42.13±0.50%) than water-based ethephon stimulated trees (40.63±0.36, 39.39±0.42, 39.59±0.36%) over the three consecutive stimulation cycles. Inorganic phosphorus content in latex was found to be 21-23% higher in trees applied with water-based stimulant than oil-based stimulant over the period studied. Oil-based stimulation showed 7-11% increase in latex flow duration than water-based stimulation. Though some physiological parameters of latex have been improved in trees with application of oil-based ethephon, yielding capacity for a particular period was statistically comparable in trees applied with water-based and oil-based ethephon.
How to Cite:
Karunarathne, N.P.S.N., Fernando, L.T.B.K., Kudaligama, K.V.V.S., Lakmini, W.G.D., Abewardhana, N.N., Madushani, P.D.T.L., Perera, M.K.P., Seneviratne, P. and Rodrigo, V.H.L., 2019. Effectiveness of commercially available selected water-based and oil-based ethephon formulations as a yield stimulant of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis). Journal of the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka, 99, pp.36–46. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/jrrisl.v99i0.1886
Published on
30 Dec 2019.
Peer Reviewed
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