Abstract:
The rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg,) is an important plant not only for world economic strategies but also
for the use of living of humankind. At present new cultivations of rubber would be qualified for carbon trading as it is
directly involved in mitigating the green house effect with sequestering atmospheric C02. Rubber Research Institute
of Sri Lanka (RRISL) is involved in developing rubber nurseries through nursery inspection program with the
objective of producing high quality budded rubber plants. This monitoring program was commenced in 2004. The
objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of plant quality monitoring program on the condition of the
rubber clearings. Four rubber estates were selected from Kegalle and Ratnapura districts. Primary data were
collected using structured questionnaire and girth of rubber trees were measured as a direct measurement.
Hapugastenna and Edarapola estates have been categorized to have good nurseries and nurseries at Moralioya and
Sunnycroft estates are categorized as bad according to the RRISL recommendation. According to the results, there is a
significant difference in achieving the tappable girth before and after the commencement of nursery monitoring
programme. Furthermore, RRISL recommended management practices have been applied by these estates. However,
tapping has not been possible even after 6 years in any of these estates. By using the proper management practices,
the present condition of the fields can be improved.
