ECOPHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF HIGH DENSITY PLANTING RELATED TO HEVEA BRASILIENSIS LATEX PRODUCTION

As photosynthesis is the only means by which plants accumulate organic matter for growth and storage, the trend of thought developed in this discussion is the efficiency of carrying out photosynthesis by single leaves of the trees.
This is extended to crown level and finally to stand level.

A number of speculations are made in trying to discuss the differences in yield:

1. Great loss of organic matter was attributed to respiration for tapping-wounds healing.
   This amount is assumed to be equal in all trees under tapping.

2. No genetic differences occur among the trees as they were budded.

3. Latex has a storage function.

A photosynthate distribution model was built up for H e v e a brasiliensis under tapping.
Differences in yield were attributed to differences in the total photosynthetic activity of the crown in different densities of the stands and the differences in allocation of photosynthate to latex formation.

It is thought that phytoengineering is necessary in this case.
This concept requires more research to be done on the planting material itself, on the "fundamental processes" level, with respect to its genetics, physiology and physiognomy and on the environmental conditions; especially important is the microclimate as modified by the plants themselves.
With a better understanding of the limitations, imposed by the plants and the environment, a specified spatial distribution can be found to get the maximum benefits.

Symposium on High Density Planting

Z. Samsuddin, I. Impens

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1978.65.11