PREDICTION OF LATEX PRODUCTION IN COMMERCIAL PLANTATIONS OF RUBBER TREE (Hevea brasiliensis MÜLL. ARG.) IN OAXACA, MÉXICO

Abstract

The present study took place in the Papaloapan rubber region, located in Oaxaca State, México. Its purpose was to generate an equation to estimate and predict latex production of clon IAN-710 of Hevea brasiliensis Müll. Arg. Dasometric information of 1562 trees of this clon in 82 sites of commercial plantations between 7 and 42 years was used for the evaluation. The variables diameter breast height (d), total height and age of the trees influenced latex production. Three kinds of prediction models were compared: generalized combined variable in a quadratic equation, generalized logaritmic equation and incomplete gamma in an exponential form, taking into account one or more of the former variables. The best adjusted equation to predict latex production was the incomplete gamma in an exponential form, P = β₀ d^β1 e^-β2d with standard deviation of 0.1239 and R² of 0.8755. Commercial production of latex initiated with 1.561 kg/ tree x year^-1, which increased up to 2.446 kg/ tree x year when diameter was 25 cm. After this stage a gradual declination occurred down to 1.065 kg/tree x year when a diameter of 49 cm is reached. The longevity of latex production for a plantation is up to 30 years.