Geo-informatics Techniques for Assessing Physiological Status and Productivity of RRIC 121 Genotype of Hevea brasiliensis (Rubber) under Different Harvesting Systems

Abstract Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) one of the main plantation crops in Sri Lanka is the only plant species cultivated commercially for natural rubber harvesting. Novel systems for harvesting have been introduced but spatial distribution of photosynthetic potential determining key factor for sustainable cultivation has not been properly explored. Use of such techniques such as Satellite Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) to analyse spatial and biological factors related to the productivity of rubber plantation with different harvesting systems is the main objective of the present study. Quikebird high resolution satellite images were used for RS analysis. Chlorophyll content of rubber leaves was measured using a SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter. Chlorophyll content and satellite images were analysed using GIS and spatial statistical methods to determine the variation in different harvesting systems. Yield data were collected from the study site and yield parameters were correlated with chlorophyll content and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values. Results revealed all systems exhibited promising yield performance without significant deviation but slightly higher yield per hectare per year (YPH) and dry rubber content of latex (DRC) were recorded in quarter spiral based once in three days (S/3 d4) and weekly (S/2 d1 2d7) harvesting systems. Chlorophyll content and rubber yield showed direct correlation in all systems. NDVI vs chlorophyll showed positive correlation r2=0.65 and spatial distribution of chlorophyll and NDVI values demonstrated sound physiological status of plants across the plantation with different harvesting systems. Cost effective LIH systems showed better production trend demonstrating relatively higher yield while reducing tapping cost and labour. Satellite based remote sensing technique is an easy and efficient tool to estimate productivity of rubber plantation over a large area. Keywords: Chlorophyll, NDVI, harvesting, Remote Sensing, Rubber.