High Panel Exploitation of Hevea Brasiliensis (Muell.Arg.): A Comparative Study of Five Tapping Systems

High panel exploitation of Hevea using five different tapping systems was studied. Upward tapping on a quarterspiral cut every third day for eight months, followed by base panel tapping for four months gave a higher yield per tapper but not in terms of total yield per hectare compared to downward ladder tapping on half-spiral cut (control). However, the dry rubber content of the latex was lower; the time taken to tap per tree was less; and stimulant and bark consumption were lower. The Jebong knife or CUT knife used for upward tapping on on a quarter-spiral cut has no effects on the yield of the latex, but it takes more time to tap a tree with the Jebong knife when the tapping cut reached higher levels. Spillage problem was reduced with a sharp tapping knife. In upward tapping on a half-spiral cut, the yield per tapper was similar to that of the quarter-spiral cut. However, the yield per hectare was higher, and the dry rubber content of the latex was lower. Also, it took a longer time to tap the tree; bark consumption was greater; and the cost of stimulation were higher compared to the quarter-spiral cut. There was little difference in yield between micro-x and ladder tapping. Micro-x tapping gave a higher dry rubber content of latex and consumed much less bark, but the stimulation cost was higher and it took a longer time to tap a tree. There were no differences in the late drip percentage among the five tapping systems studied. Overall incidence of dryness on high panel was low. The highest net revenue was given by the half-spiral upward tapping system over the two year period studied.

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