Growth Recovery of Fine Roots in Rubber Tree (Hevea brasiliensis) After Installation of Minirhizotron

Abstract

The minirhizotron tubes were installed in a rubber plantation (10 year-old: clone RRIM 600) with 100 and 150 cm long tubes. The major concern was spent by installation methods: hand auger and open trench in 100 and 150 cm long tubes, respectively. Recovery of fine roots was observed with Minirhizotron technique, and analyzed with logistic growth curve. The results showed that fine roots in 100 and 150 cm long tubes were spent around 2 and 3 months to recover till steady state, respectively. And the maximum increasing rate was around 32 and 72 days after installation, respectively. Therefore, it is suggested that the study of fine root dynamics with Minirhizotron in rubber plantations should be started at 3 months after installations.