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Asian Journal of Plant Sciences

Year: 2011 | Volume: 10 | Issue: 2 | Page No.: 140-146
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Authors

J. Junjittakarn

V. Limpinuntana

F.C. DO

K. Pannangpetch

S. Isarangkool Na Ayutthaya

H. Cochard

Keywords

Diurnal variation in trunk girth of rubber trees reflects water status and can be used to estimate trunk increment of the crop. The objectives of this study were to quantify diurnal change in circumference of rubber trees, to estimate growth rate and to determine the efficacy of the electronic dendrometer in measuring micro change in trunk circumference. The experiment was conducted at a commercial plantation on clone RRIM 600 during the onset of the dry season in the Northeast Thailand. Electronic dendrometer bands were installed on rubber plants at 45, 70 and 180 cm from the ground and the device was connected to a data logger. Trunk circumference was recorded daily at 30 min intervals for 13 days in November 2006. A clear and highly reproducible change in trunk circumference caused by diurnal shrinking and contraction was observed during the experiment. Diurnal shrinking and expansion on average were recorded as 471 and 884 μm day-1, respectively. Stem locations were significantly different in trunk shrinking and expansion. The highest shrinking and contraction were observed at 180 cm which were similar to the location at 70 cm but higher than 45 cm. The highest growth rate was found at 45 cm and it was significantly different from those at 75 and 180 cm. The device is very useful for measuring stem circumference of rubber tree with very high accuracy and measurement between 70 and 180 cm from the ground is recommended. The information is useful for irrigation management and breeding.
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