Preliminary Results of Effect of Four Stimulants on the Latex Flow Rate in Hevea brasiliensis after Tapping
O. Aghughu
Plant Breeding Division, Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Iyanomo, Nigeria
O. A. Emuedo *
Physiology and Biochemistry Division, Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Iyanomo, Nigeria
E. O. Uzunuigbe
Physiology and Biochemistry Division, Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Iyanomo, Nigeria
F. U. Ohikhena
Physiology and Biochemistry Division, Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Iyanomo, Nigeria
A. M. D. Uwumarongie
Physiology and Biochemistry Division, Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Iyanomo, Nigeria
A. N. Chukwuka
Physiology and Biochemistry Division, Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Iyanomo, Nigeria
U. Ugiagbe-Ekue
Physiology and Biochemistry Division, Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Iyanomo, Nigeria
O. Ajayi
Biotechnology Division, Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Iyanomo, Nigeria
O. E. Agbonaye
Agroclimatology Division, Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Iyanomo, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The effect of some latex yield stimulants on flow rate in Hevea trees was investigated using NIG 805 clone as the test clone in the clonal garden of the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Iyanomo, Benin City. The Hevea trees used for the investigation were treated with four different stimulants and control, in three replicates. Each treatment, inclusive of the control, comprised of 3 trees, making a total of forty-five (45) trees. The stimulants used include; Mortex 50, Mortex 25, Vitex and Ethephon. The experiment was laid out in a complete randomised block design. Stimulation was done once in thirty (30) days and tapping done using the ½S, d/3 tapping method for a period of ninety (90) days. Data collected include girth of the trees, length of tapping cut, initial volume (volume of latex flow within the first five minutes after tapping), final volume (volume of latex flow two hours after tapping) and dry rubber content (DRC). Latex flow time for each tree was two hours. Thereafter, the flow rate was calculated and the data transformed. The results were analysed using ANOVA. There was a significant difference in the mean latex flow rate of the trees treated with Mortex 50. Similar results were obtained when the experiment was repeated the following year.
Keywords: Stimulant, Mortex, vitex, Ethephon, flowrate, latex, DRC