Abstract

The cultivation of Hevea brasiliensis, which is the main source of natural rubber, is facing a problem of scarcity and/or high cost of skilled labour. One of the means to remedy this constraint is to reduce the intensity of tapping. This work aims at studying tapping systems of low intensity tapping but highly stimulated (S/4 d3 6d/7 8-10/y(m) and S/2 d6 6d/7 8-10/y(m)) which enable to reduce the need for tappers by 10 and 50% compared to a standard or traditional tapping system (S/2 d3 6d/7 4/y(3m), the control), in clone PR 107 of Hevea brasiliensis in south-eastern Côte d'Ivoire. This study was carried out on the basis of agronomic, physiological and economic criteria. The results of 21 years of exploitation have shown that reducing the frequency of tapping is not compensated, in terms of yield, by high stimulations. However, the reduction of the length of tapping cut is compensated, in terms of yield, by hormonal stimulation. Low intensity tapping systems do not adversely affect the growth and physiological profile of trees. They reduce the rate of tapping panel dryness. All tapping systems are profitable. The best low intensity tapping systems (S/4 d3 6d/7 10/y(m) and S/2 d6 6d/7 10/y(m)) may constitute an alternative to the standard or traditional tapping system so as to reduce the need for tappers and thus, make up for a deficit and/or a high cost of tapping labour.

Key words: Hevea brasiliensis clone PR 107, low intensity tapping systems, stimulation, yield, growth, tapping panel dryness, labour, profit margin, Côte d'Ivoire.