Effect of Polybag Size on Growth and Physiological Attributes of Rubber (Hevea Brasiliensis) Seedlings
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Date
2013
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Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Abstract
The annual requirement of budded rubber plants [Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. Ex A. Juss.) Mull. Arg.] has been increased. Currently, finding top soil for filling polybags has become an issue in raising rubber plants. Therefore, it is essential to find ways to minimize the amount of soil usage. The present study examined the effect of polybag sizes on growth attributes of rubber seedlings for an eight-week period. The experiments were conducted in the government rubber nurseries at Egaloya (Wet Zone, LW) and Monaragala (Intermediate Zone, IL). Six bag sizes with reduced
volume (3"x15",4"x15", 5"x15", 4"x13", 5"x13" and 6"x13") as compared to the
standard size (6"x15"-control) were used for LW whereas five bag sizes (6"x15",
6"x16", 6"x17", 7"x16" and 7"x17") as compared to control (7"x18") were used for IL. Germinated seeds were transplanted into each polybag filled with top soil and arranged in a nursery according to a randomized complete block design (RCBD). There were 60 replicates for each treatment. Growth and physiological attributes of seedling viz., stem height (cm), stem diameter (mm), number of leaves, chlorophyll content (SPAD value), leaf area (cm2), stomatal conductance (g), tap root length (cm),
tap root dry weight (g), total root dry weight (g) and shoot dry weight, (1) were
recorded after 8 weeks from transplanting. There were no significant (P>0.05)
difference in growth and physiological attributes of seedlings raised in reduced sizes of polybags when compared to those raised in the standard sized polybags in both agro-
climatic zones. Therefore, there is a potential to use reduced sizes of polybags to raise rootstocks of rubber while reducing the amount of sail usage.
Keywords: Growth, Intermediate zone, Polybag size, Rubber seedlings, Wet zone
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Palm and Latex Technology and Value Addition Degree Programme ( PLT)