Plantation Crops

Systems of tapping

• Rubber attains tapping stage at about 7 years of age during which period, required girth is attained ( i.e., 55cm girth at 50 cm height) from ground. .
• Time of tapping: Early in the morning ( Late tapping will reduce latex flow)
• Tapping task: Number of trees tapped in a day by one tapper. In India it is 300 trees compared to 400 to 500 trees in other countries.

Sl No.	System of tapping	Intensity	Remarks
1.	½ S ½ d i.e ., s2d2 (half spiral cutting and tapping at alternate days for 6 months and rest for 3 months)	100 per cent	Recommended for budded plants
2.	½ S 1/3 d i.e ., s2d3 (half spiral cutting and tapping at every 3 days for 6 months and rest for 3 months)	1/3 day = 67 % ½ cut	Recommended for clonal seedlings
3.	½ S d1 i.e ., s2d1 (half spiral cutting and tapping daily for 6 months and rest for 3 months)	1/1 day = 200 % ½ cut	Followed by small growers and it results in early deterioration of trees.

• Tapping system depends on the

  1) Intensity of cut and
  2) Periodicity of tapping.
• Slope of tapping panel to horizontal zone in tree:

  a) Budded trees = slope down by 30 º
  b) Seedling = 25º

Slaughter tapping in rubber
The term slaughter tapping is used to indicate all out bleeding of rubber tree to obtain maximum yield without regard to health or longevity of trees. It is done one or two years before replanting or replacing crop.
In old trees tapping is done by giving two or more half spiral cuts simultaneously i.e.,
1. one at the base level and other at
2. at least 120 –180 cm higher level on the opposite side.
Slaughter tapping is sometimes practiced even on branches with the help of ladders. Here length, height and frequency of tapping are all increased.