Efficiency of an alternative double cut tapping system to improve latex productivity of rubber tree clone RRIT251 in marginal areas of Thailand

This investigation aims to optimize an appropriate tapping system for rubber production management in northeastern Thailand. The study was conducted using a RRIT 251 rubber clone plantation located in Khen Dong District, Buriram Province during the period of May 2014 to February 2016. The trees were planted in 2007 and the tapping was started in July 2014. The experiments were a randomized completed block design (RCBD) with three replicates comprising two treatments. These were a conventional tapping system (farmer’s method, S/3 d2) as a control and a double cut alternative tapping system (DCA, 2 x S/3 d2). The results showed that the DCA was able to increase latex yield by about 14 % compared to the farmer’s method, but DCA decreased incremental trunk girth. Moreover, the percent of total solids content (TSC) of the farmer’s method was significantly higher than DCA. The bark consumption was not significantly different in either tapping method. DCA has a potential to improve latex productivity in northeastern Thailand.