Development of Technology in Fertilizer Utilization to Increase Yield of Rubber

Abstract

The objective of project was to find an appropriate fertilizer utilization technology to increase potential yield of rubber. The field trials were conducted on smallholders who were rubber producers in traditional and nontraditional areas during August 2002 to September 2005. The comparison of 3 different input fertilizers for rubber namely farmer’s practices, recommended and high input treatment were made. The results showed that farmer’s practice treatment was as low input as 68.1% of the nutrient recommended rates of N.P and K, having the lowest yield of rubber. The highest yield of rubber was obtained from the high input treatment which included the application of inorganic fertilizer containing the maximum rate of N, P and K. In additional, the recommended input was not only treatment which sufficient rate was supplied to meet the rubber requirements but also high yield was obtained. Moreover, leaves analysis indicated sufficiency of N, P and K but soil fertility also increased the rubber productivity. Furthermore, the economic analysis showed that the rubber productions were profitable, particularly with the recommended and high input treatment.