Influence of sizes of polybags on development of Hevea planting material

Abstract

This work was carried out with the objective of determining the smallest possible size of polybag suitable for preparing Hevea, planting material with two or three whorls of leaves. Budded stumps were raised in polybags of six different sizes and allowed to grow for up to four months. On reaching the growth stage with three hardened whorls of leaves, the height of the scion and its diameter were measured. The aspects relating to the rooting system of the plants, as well as those relating to their handling and economics were also observed. The results showed that polybag sizes of 15 cm x 35 cm and 15 cm x 40 cm are equally suitable for plant growth and proved to be more profitable, as compared to the bigger ones. Polybags of smaller dimentions, however, caused restriction to either plant growth or case of handling of the planting materials.