The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) recently conducted a two-day training seminar to equip rubber tree growers with knowledge on new techniques in expanding production (Manila Bulletin).  BAR said rubber is a priority crop under the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) of the Department of Agriculture (DA).  Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) is also the subject of intense research and development (R&D) interventions and capacity-building efforts of the government. 

The Project Monitoring and Evaluation Division (PMED) of BAR hosted the seminar entitled 'Rubber Seedlings Nursery Estab-lishment and Management in Non-traditional Areas.'  It was attended by plant propagators and project implementors from the Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Centers, state universities and colleges, local government units, Bureau of Plant Industry, and farmers from Luzon and Visayas.

Romulo L. Cena, director of the Philippine Industrial Crops Research Institute and Prof. Rogelio C. Testado of the University of Southern Mindanao served as the resource speakers during the seminar.  Rodolfo L. Galang, BAR coordinator for rubber, presented a report on current activities on rubber R&D in the Philippines. In his presentation, he said there are good prospects for the Philippine rubber industry. 

The growing domestic and global demand for natural rubber and increasing price of rubber in the world market are factors that rubber investors can bank on.  BAR is tasked to lead the R&D component of the National Rubber Development Program and support to its extension activities. Three projects on rubber have been completed, four are in the pipeline and 19 are ongoing, all of them funded by BAR.

Another plus factor was the creation of the Philippine Rubber Research Institute (PRI) in 2010. PRI is mandated 'to initiate and ad-minister R&D programs to improve quality and increase productivity of rubber especially for the benefit of smallholder rubber producers and processors.'

One key issue discussed during the seminar was the lack of planting materials for propagation.  The demand for planting materials is increasing and yet there are only a few rubber nurseries in the country, mostly located in Mind-anao, BAR noted. 

Those who want to engage in rubber culture in Luzon and Visayas are having hobbled by this problem. Thus, the plan is to establish more rubber seedlings nurseries. Rubber experts said having a nursery 'offers the advantage of producing large number of good and healthy planting materials at the earliest time possible with less expense.' 

Testado said there are two types of rubber nurseriesground nursery in which the seedling stocks are sustained from the time the germinated seeds are transplanted from germination bed at which required planting distances to grow for later budding and polybag nursery where germinated seeds are transplanted into the polybags and allowed to grow for budding. 

He advised that it is better to arrange the polybags in single rows to facilitate better growth. Having a nursery is not simply preparation of the area and planting the seeds, Testado clarified. Hence, there are factors needed to be considered first before establishing a rubber nursery. 

These are 1) availability of stable water source, 2) the area must be flat or undulating terrain and must be well drained, 3) for ground nursery ' loam soil is ideal with pH of 4.5-6.5, 4) for polybag nursery ' loam soil is preferred as soil medium, 5) the area must be open (not shaded) and with fence if possible, 6) the area must be accessible and passable, 7) nursery site, if possible, should be near the area to be developed or planted, and; 8) availability of source bush for scions. 

For seed selection, it is important that the selected seeds are fresh and shiny. If ever the seeds selected for germination are stale and dull, it is necessary to soak them overnight to improve germination.  Seeds that start to germinate, or those with holes, should be discarded. In one square meter germination bed, approximately 2,000 seeds can be accommodated. 

Aside from the discussion on nursery establishment and management, Testado lectured on latex harvesting management in rubber and natural rubber processing. He also facilitated the demonstration on bud-grafting, providing participants