Soil Conservation

Soil Conservation Measures in rubber cultivation

Soil conservation in rubber farming is crucial for preventing erosion and maintaining fertility, especially on sloping lands. Techniques like contour planting, terracing, and cover cropping with legumes help reduce soil loss, retain moisture, and improve organic matter.

Mulching, agroforestry, and proper drainage further enhance soil stability and structure while preventing waterlogging. Minimal tillage and maintaining vegetation along plantation boundaries also play a key role in preventing erosion and ensuring sustainable rubber production.

Rehabilitation of degraded rubber lands

Increasing soil fertility in degraded rubber lands by combine use of agro management practices such as green manuring, cover cropping, inorganic fertilizer, biofertilizer, and organic amendments etc. (Funded by National Research Council, 2019-2022)

Expected output:

  • Introduce site specific, cost-effective, environmental friendly combine agro management (CAM) practices as new recommendations for immature rubber cultivation
  • Reinstate degraded soil fertility and land productivity

Establishment of demonstrations plots help to disseminate knowledge to a large group of growers