Wind damage and yield recovery in rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) plantation

Abstract

The recent study observed the damage type and the effect on the yield and dry rubber content (DRC) of wind damaged and one-year recovery of rubber trees. The observation covered 11 sites consisted of 8, 11, 12, and 15 years of PB 260 clone. The damage type was distinguished into curved, cracking curved, broken branch, broken stem, and uprooted. Latex samples were collected from each damage type and compared with normal trees. The observation exhibited that the broken stem and uprooted trees were found in the center of the impacted area, whereas curved and broken branch trees were located in the outer. The proportion of curved, broken branches and uprooted trees increased by plant age, while the proportion of broken stem decreased. The wind damage inflicted a significant yield loss and DRC decrease. The curved trees showed the least impact on the yield, yet it was reduced by nearly 50 %, and the DRC lower around 4.92 %. Nevertheless, when the curve was accompanied by cracking, the yield loss and the DRC decrease were more severe. The one-year recovery trees indicated that the trees did not fully recover.