The effect of the container and the potting media of nursery plants on the growth of rubber plants: experience with root trainers to raise rubber plants

Young buddings raised in 15 cm x 37 cm, gauge 300 black polythene bags filled with top soil are the recommended planting materials for rubber planting in Sri Lanka. The proprietary plastic root trainers are recommended in India along with a unique and rich potting mixture which is not available or affordable under local conditions. Proprietary root trainers 30 cm x 9 cm (diameter at the top and 1000 cc, and 15 cm x 37 cm recommended young budding bags with a hole at the base of the bag were tested along with two cone shaped polythene containers, having 32 cm x 9 cm (diameter at the top) and 1160 cc, 40 cm x 15 cm (diameter at the top) and 2000 cc. Six different combinations of coir pith, sand, top soil, saw dust and compost were tested with 100% top soil and 100% coir pith as the potting media.

 

The results indicated that the volume, the shape of the container or the potting medium have minimum impact on the survival percentage of the seedlings or on the quality of the budded plants. Nevertheless, 100% coir pith seems to affect the survival rate of seedlings. The growth measured up to two years in the field confirmed no difference among the container or the potting medium.