PERTUMBUHAN DUA KLON KARET ASAL BIBIT OKULASI DI KABUPATEN BANYUASIN, PROVINSI SUMATERA SELATAN (Growth Performance of Two Rubber Budding Clones in Banyuasin District, South Sumatera Province)

Abstract

Rubber clones have different adaptability which leads to no rubber clone being superior for all planting locations. Therefore, the agro-climatic characteristics of plantation area are needed to determine the suitability class of the land before extensive rubber planting is carried out. The aim of this study was to examine the growth of combination of clones (IRR 112 and IRR 118) and the number of umbrella leaves (two umbrellas and three umbrellas) during immature plants (TBM). Plantation was established at the Experimental Garden of the Rubber Research Center, Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra Province. Land suitability was determined based on soil data and climate data. Clone growth was observed based on the growth of stems from a sampling of 500 trees for each clone-umbrella combination. Growth measurement was carried out every year until five years old plants. The results showed that IRR 112 clone rubber with three umbrellas was the best rubber planting material and reach 81% mature tapping stems after five years old. It is recommended that IRR 112 clone rubber with three umbrellas can be planted on land with the land suitability class suitable (S2) in the lowlands on Ultisol soil type.