Yield Response to Stimulation when D/2 Rubber Clones Are Tapped at D/3 Frequency Using Yield Stimulants

Low frequency tapping (LFT) is adopted in rubber plantations to mitigate issues related to harvesting using conventional systems. The performance with LFT will depend on the efficacy of stimulation, harvesting and latex collection. A yield response curve for stimulation under ideal conditions would be useful to the rubber growers to determine the efficacy of their stimulation programs. The study was conducted using a rubber field tapped on panel BO 1 and using two commercially available yield stimulants. The highest yield response for both stimulants was at the first tapping after stimulation but it was relatively high with ethrel than mortex. However, with both stimulants the yield response continued during the entire study period with a declining trend.