Budding Success of Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis Muell Arg) as Influenced by Budwood Defoliation and Nutrient Application on Rootstocks

Abstract

An experimental study was conducted to determine the budding success of rubber in Influenced by budwood defoliation and nutrient application on rootstock. This study was laid out in 3 x 4 factorial arrangements in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three defoliation duration as Factor A. The rates of fertilizers application serve as Factor B. All treatments were replicated three times with ten samples. Results revealed that defoliation of budwood one to two weeks before budding had significantly increased the budding success of (71.15%) compared with nondefoliated scion used gave the lowest budding success for only (39.60%). Likewise, defoliation also enhanced the early sprouting of scion shouts (12.83 days) after cutback. It produced more leaves (22.40) per budded seedling and developed longer sprouted shouts 17.85 to 18.1 cm, which statistically differed. Organic nutrient applied significantly affects all parameters after cutback. The budded seedlings used with chicken dung and vermicast exhibited similar budding success ranging from 63.24% to 69.72%, respectively. Likewise, seedlings that applied the same treatment sprouted early at 12.11 and 13.11 days showed the most number of leaves, 22.93, and induced the longest shouts17.74 to 18.87 cm. However, the lowest result was seedling treated with 16-20-0 and control for only 16.44 and 15.39 cm, which significantly differed.