MSc

A detailed study was conducted among the small growers of Alakode and Payyavoor villages of Thaliparamba taluk in order to ascertain the extent of adoption of scientific tapping and processing method . Eightly seven holdings representing the highly concentrated rubber growing areas of the taluk under different size groups were selected for the investigations and the growers interviewed with a pre- tested questionnaire.
Size of the holding s varied from 0.20 to 1.60 ha and the units have been sorted out in to 4 groups. Average size of the holding was 0.51 ha in respect of R R I I 105 and 0.39 ha in respect of GTI. Since the Rubber Board officials used to visit the holdings during immaturity period to assess the eligibility for the disbursement of subsidy, maintenance of all young rubber areas were satisfactory. But once the plants attain maturity , maintenance , tapping , processing etc . are done according to the knowledge, ideas and convenience of the growers and workers.

Standard of tappability , height of opening , slope of tapping cut and time of tapping were found followed as per the recommendations. Alternative daily i.e, 1/2Sd/2 system of tapping was more prevalent. While 94 per cent followed 1/2Sd/2 system 6 per cent adopted1/2S d/2 system of tapping . Of the two clones RRII 105 and GTI tapping panel dryness (TPD)was observed in RRII 105@5 percent were tapping is done at an intensity of 1/22S d/2 i.e ., 100 per cent on Bo 1 panel . In the same clone units tapped at a frequency of 67 percent , on BO 1 panel, i.e., 1/2S d/3 intensity of tapping , panel dryness is slightly low i.e., 2.5 percent. In GT1, TPD is dismally low-1 percent even at 100 percent intensity. However, the GT1 , plants in the surveyed area were older and tapping was in progress in BO 2 panel, compared with the RRII 105 trees.
Rain guarding is done by only 24 per cent growers. Drop in yield after rainy season is reported by many experienced growers and this makes many growers hesitant to rain guard their trees. Panel protection with fungicides in rain guarded trees is a must and it has to be done periodically. In rain guarded trees the panel protection with fungicide once in a week was observed in 99 per cent holdings whereas 1 per cent did it once in 14 days. In the units which were not rain guarded 45 per cent treated the panel with wound dressing compounds and 8 percent only white washed the panel. Units which did not give any panel treatment accounted to 23 per cent.
Number of additional tapping days obtained by the rain guarding varied from 25 to 50days. This was depending up on the time of rain guarding of rain obtained in the respective localities . A good number of units obtained 41to 45 additional tapping days which accounted 48 per cent of the total number units rain guarded.
It was also found that , alternate daily tapping is more prevelant among the growers. Though RRII 105 is recommended for once in three days tapping, 94 per cent holdings adopted alternate daily tapping for the clone RRII 105, while 6 percent followed once in three days tapping . From the study it is concluded that TPD is more in RRII 105 units tapped alternative daily i.e., 1/2 S d/2 compared to the units of the same clone tapped once in three days i.e ., 1/2S D/3. Small growers are much hesitant to adopt once in three days tapping because of constraints like financial difficulties, that arised due to the drop in yield and income , co – operation from the workers etc .
Clone –wise average yield obtained per hectare has been worked out . RRII 105 was found definitely yielding better than GTI. Though the yield obtained under ½ S d/3 system was lesser than that of ½ system there was no substantial difference which can be considered as an advandage, as percentage of infection of TPD in those units is very low.
It was noted that 92 per cent of RRII 105 and 100 per cent of GTI units processed their rubber in to ribbed smoked sheets and 8 per cent units of RRII 105 sold their latex as field latex . Cup lumps and tree lace from all the units were disposed as raw.
From the survey and the field experience obtained otherwise it is concluded that generally the growers are not giving much importance to scientific methods of cultural operations and exploitation. Majority of the growers being small growers who lack awareness and suffer from financial constraints want to extract the crop, process it and sell in the market . At the same time , in the market also quality consciousness is not seen. In order to enlight the growers about the need for the adoption of scientific methods of exploitation system, proceessing methods and to improve the quality of sheet rubber it is essentional to reorient and strengthen the extension work so as to effectively transfer the modern technologies to the progressive farmers.