Effect of the Stimulating Paste Conservation Period and Economic Benefit of Ethrel-Palm Oil Mixture in Rubber Tree Plantations in South-Eastern Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

To maintain and increase sustainable productivity and natural rubber yield, the hormonal stimulation management of rubber yield should be controlled from operation centers. A study was conducted to determine the type of prepared stimulant paste and the maximum efficiency period of this paste in southeastern Côte d’Ivoire, during two years from 2012 to 2014. The study was conducted on the clone GT 1, according to single tree plot design of 15 treatments of 30 replicate trees per treatment, corresponding to different conservation periods of the prepared stimulant paste. Two stimulant products namely Ethrel mixed with palm oil and Almephon (ready-to-use), have been stored at ambient temperature and left for cool. The prepared stimulant paste was kept for 0, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 42 and 56 days. The results indicated that rubber yield, radial vegetative growth, physiological profile and health of rubber trees haven’t been affected by both conservation of the stimulant paste and different conservation periods. However the prepared stimulant paste could be kept up to 56 days, at ambient temperature as well as in cold, without losing their efficiency. These important results help predict the management of hormonal stimulation of rubber yield, without electrical power, from centers which will ensure distribution to different plantations. Moreover, the stimulant paste Ethrel-mixed with palm oil, substantially cheaper and using the palm oil, an important local and profitable product to the bark of Hevea brasiliensis, would be the best choice.