Effect of stimulant (ethephon) application and tapping frequency on latex production of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.)

Raden Budiasih, Mohamad Agus Salim, Ika Apriani, Sofiya Hasani and Muhammad Subandi

Abstract: The stimulant ethephon application and tapping frequency are alternative waysto increase the latex production. The experiment was conducted to examine the effects of different dosages of ethephon and tapping frequencies on the rubber crop production. The research was conducted in district of Bengkulu province from June to August, 2016. The method used was the randomized block design (RBD) factorial with two factors; the first factor was the ethephon dosage consisting of five levels: e0 = 0 cc trees-1, e1 = 0.3 cc trees-1, e2 = 0.6 cc trees-1, e3 = 0.9 cc trees-1, and e4 = 1.2 cc trees-1, the second factor was the tapping frequency consisting of three levels: f1 = frequency of 2 days, f2= frequency of 3 days, and f3 = frequency of 4 days. Therefore, there were15 combinations of treatments repeated three times. The further test used was Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at 5%.The results showed that there was no interaction effect between the dosage and tapping frequency of ethephon on all observed parameters. The effect of 0.9 cc trees-1ethephon doses was able to increase the flow rate of latex by 0.46 ml min-1and 63% fresh latex volume, while the tapping frequency of f3 increased latex flow rate by 0.42 ml min-1and fresh latex volume by 859.8 ml. In the dry rubber content parameters, the ethephon dosing at 0.3 cc trees-1 produced 38.07%. On the other hand, frequency of 4 days tapping resulted 37.44% less than other treatments.

Keywords: Ethephon; frequency; latex; tapping

Date published: 2020-08-28