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The objective of this study was to examine the effect of high-frequency tapping system (1/3S 3d/4) on latex yield, biochemistry and its impact on the Tapping Panel Dryness (TPD) of young RRIM600 hillside tapping rubber. The experiment was conducted at three different hillside rubber plantations (NM 1 - 3) at Na-Mom district, Song Khla province, Thailand. Eight-year-old rubber RRIM 600 clones was used in the experiment starting from 2008 until 2009. The rubber trees were investigated for latex yield production, bark consumption, and TPD. In addition, latex diagnosis (sucrose, inorganic phosphorus (Pi), and thiol levels) was measured. The results demonstrated that high-frequency tapping system positively affected the rubber latex yield formation. However, site-specific condition of rubber plantation altered latex yield production. NM 3 provided the highest latex yield (fresh and dry weight) as compared to other plantations. Tapping frequency was highly correlated to latex yield (fresh and dry weights) in all investigated rubber plantations (R2 > 0.75). Using high-frequency tapping system increased bark consumption and stimulated TPD. Moreover, results of latex diagnosis (sucrose, Pi, and thiol levels) showed relatively unhealthy rubber tree as impacted by high-frequency tapping system. Therefore, the farmer should consider it for better decision-making for tapping system application.

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In Myanmar, natural rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) is mainly grown in the southern part of the country, where the rainfall is too high leading to suspension of tapping in the rainy season and intensive tapping after the rainy season. Rubber farmers face problems of uneven distribution of tapping days, low tapper productivity, high tapping cost, and shorter economical lifespan of the trees. Hence, a study was carried out to address the problems by conducting an on-farm experiment to assess performances of low frequency rubber tapping system (LFRTS) with rainguard in the area. Five treatments: (T 1 ) S/2 d2 (no tapping in the rainy season); (T 2 ) S/2 2d3 (no tapping in the rainy season); (T 3 ) S/2 (RG) d2 (tapping with rainguard in the rainy season); (T 4 ) S/2 d3 ET2.5% Pa (1) 3/y (m) (tapping without rainguard in the rainy season); (T 5 ) S/2 (RG) d3 ET2.5% Pa (1) 3/y (m) (tapping with rainguard in the rainy season) were evaluated. The cumulative yield in kilogram per tree of T 5 during the study period was comparable to that of T 1 , while its daily yield in gram per tapping per tree was 23% and 30% higher than that of T 1 and T 2 , respectively. Bark consumption of T 5 was 16% and 39% lower than that of T 1 and T 2, respectively. T 5 needed only 67% of tapper requirement by d2 frequency tapping. Tapping costs of T 5 were 17% lower than those of conventional tapping system, T 1. The study suggested that LFRTS with rainguard could be implemented to address the problems of the farmers in the area.Keywords: bark consumption; low frequency rubber tapping system; rainguard; tapping cost; tapper productivity; tapper requirement. Abbreviations: 2d3_ two tappings in three days; BO-2_ virgin bark at second basal panel; d2_ alternate tapping; d3_third daily tapping; ET_ethephon stimulation; LFRTS_ low frequency rubber tapping system; Pa_ panel application; RG_rainguard; S/2_ half spiral cut (length of tapping cut)