Carbon BUDGET and Stem Cut Propagation Technologies for Rubber Trees

The findings on carbon budget and potentials of stem cut rubber (Hevea brasiliensis)for mass propagation is based on biometrics and statistical computations. Rubber plantation at a maximum age of 40 years could stored up to 468.69Mg/ha Carbon in its tree biomass while a 6 year old plantation of the same species has carbon budget of 31.87Mg/ha. It also revealed that the different C pools of rubber tree significantly related to its total carbon density. The age range of 6-12 years plantation is found to be statistically different with age range 20-40 years. This implies that carbon trapping potentials of rubber tree is highly dependent on age of plantation. on the other hand, the study on the success of stem cut rubber for mass propagation, it was found that older stem parts (brown cuttings) applied with alpha naphthalene acetic acid (ANAA)at a concentration of 1tbsp/3litH2O has 74% survival rate with maximum sprouts and root growth. This is a good indicator that stem cut rubber can be mass propagated even in rural farm level nurseries at minimal cost and labor. This technique is best substitute for sexual propagation of the species during off seasons.