Hevea brasiliensis

• Thematic area:
• Plant physiology and nutrition
• Publication date:
• 2021
• Productive system:
• Rubber
• Geographic coverage:

• Andean and Caribbean regions

Description

The stimulation process involves impregnating the bleeding panel with a chemical stimulant (mainly ethephon) that delays the laticiferous vessels' closure and prolongs latex release, thereby increasing production.

The rubber tree stimulation protocol prolongs latex output and increases production (approximately 26.23 ml/tree/bleeding, i.e., 15% more). Therefore, it is unnecessary to scratch the tree as frequently (it is bled every four days and not every two or three days as commonly done), allowing more efficient labor management and decreased production costs by 11.6%.

In addition, the useful and productive life of the plantation is increased since the frequency of bleeding is reduced and, consequently, the consumption of tree bark (approximately 3 cm/year in the stem). Thus, given that the minimum duration of the exploitation period is 20 years, it is estimated that, by implementing the protocol's recommendations, the exploitation time would increase by at least 3 years.

Other benefits of implementing the stimulation protocol are the increase in producers' net income due to the rise in latex production and maintaining the latex quality parameters required by processing plants, mainly the total solids content.

This offer is recommended for the lower Cauca area of Antioquia and the south of Córdoba.

Audiovisual content

Associated publications

• Booklet: Estimulación de los árboles de caucho: fichas interactivas [Stimulation of rubber trees: interactive worksheets].
• Booklet: Estimulación de los árboles de caucho: paso a paso [Stimulation of rubber trees: step by step]. 
• Booklet: Estimulación de los árboles de caucho: material complementario [Stimulation of rubber trees: supplementary material].
• Foldable: Calendario para estimular los árboles de caucho [Calendar to stimulate rubber trees]. 
• Productive model: Modelo productivo para el cultivo de caucho natural (Hevea brasiliensis) en el bajo Cauca antioqueño y en el sur de Córdoba [Productive model for natural rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) cultivation in the lower Cauca area of Antioquia and in the south of Córdoba].

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