• Introduction of eco-friendly, economically viable biofilm bio-fertilizers which were formulated by using rubber rhizosphere microbes for the enhancement of soil fertility in rubber lands and promote plant growth of nursery plants and immature Hevea.
• Application of slow release fertilizers for rubber nursery plants was observed more benefits compared to conventional fertilizer application. Prevention of environmental pollution, reduced labour costs associated with repeated applications are some of the advantages associated with slow release fertilizers over the conventional applications.
• Encapsulated fertilizers based on rubber latex and coir dust was observed their effectiveness over an extended period under laboratory conditions and are being evaluated at field conditions for immature rubber plants. This technique may help to reduce labour cost and chemical wastage.
• Degraded soil fertility in rubber lands could be improved by proper environmental friendly activities; mulching, cover management, biofertilization, drains, stone terraces and was observed enhancement of some soil properties facilitating to improve soil fertility.
• Application biochar, a novel technology to improve soil fertility was introduced to RPC rubber nurseries and a low cost stove was developed to produce biochar while generating cooking energy.
• Bacterial spp. that can absorb more moisture have been identified and are being used for the development of bio-fertilizers in order to tolerate moisture stress conditions in non-traditional rubber growing areas.
• Mother nurseries of Mucuna cover crop were established and planting materials were issued for smallholder and estate sector to conserve soil and enhancement of soil fertility.
• The land with white root disease history is not advisable to establish Mucuna as a cover crop. In areas identified and demarcated for white root disease patches, RRISL recommended to grow Pueraria, Desmodium or other cover crop
• Rubber growers are provided with a site- specific fertilizer recommendation through the foliar Survey.
• Land suitability reports are issued after selecting suitable lands for rubber cultivation in traditional and nontraditional rubber growing areas.
• Fertilizer samples received from the stakeholders are tested for their quality to assure the application of good quality fertilizers to their rubber lands.

Manuring schedule for mature rubber

ERP   - Eppawala Rock Phosphate    MOP  - Muriate of Potash

Plantations under the regional plantation companies are strongly advised to obtain site-specific fertilizer recommendation from the RRISL for their mature fields. In areas where fertilizers are not recommended on the basis of foliar survey, fertilizer quantities in the table could be used.

Awards Miss Anoma Thewarapperuma

Grand prize of the IRRDB Rubber Photography Competition - 2006

1. Fertilizer encapsulated coir bricks for immature rubber

   The technique of encapsulation of fertilizers as a coir based product is an effective and economical method for overcoming some management problems associated with fertilizer applications. Totally cut down labour charges associated with repeated fertilizer applications, reduction of fertilizer cost by 20%, prevention of environmental hazards and wastage due to extreme leaching loss of nutrients, prevention of possible pilferage and adulteration of fertilizers are some of the benefits associated with fertilizer encapsulated coir bricks.

   

   Application of coir bricks for immature rubber plants

2. Commercially available slow release fertilizer for rubber nursery plants

   Single application of commercially available slow release fertilizer at bag filling stage showed better growth parameters than conventional biweekly fertilizer applications and could be benefitted for the growers by totally cut down labour cost associated with regular fertilizer applications.

   

   Enhancement of the growth performances of rubber nursery plants by the application of commercially available slow release fertilizer

3. Environmental friendly economically viable biofertilizer for rubber nurseries and immature rubber

   In the recent developments of biofertilizer research, biofilms have been produced from fungi and bacteria associated with rubber rhizosphere under laboratory conditions and termed as biofilm biofertilizers (BFBF). Considerable attention has been focused recently on BFBF in agriculture is considered to be an eco-friendly product which is more cost effective than chemical fertilizers. Several studies conducted so far with the BFBF under nursery and immature Hevea have revealed that combined use of BFBF with modified fertilizer levels could enhance plant growth, perhaps up to their optimum levels with improved nutrient availabilities and enhanced soil fertility parameters. Further, this clearly contributes to reverse land degradation with rubber cultivation, a generic issue that has been lasted for decades.

   
   
   

   Application of biofilm biofertilizer for nursery plants and immature Hevea

4. Evaluate the effectiveness of environmental friendly alternatives for inorganic fertilizers

   Application of commercially available compost, vermi compost, vermi wash, partially burn paddy husk, paddy straw, green manures reported beneficial effects on nursery plants and immature Hevea performances.

   
5. Rehabilitation of degraded rubber lands by using environmental friendly agro management practices

   Combine use of agro management practices such as cover cropping, green manuring, straw mulching and biofertilization showed significant enhancement of soil fertility parameters such as organic carbon, total N, ammonium, available P, exchangeable K and Mg, microbial biomass carbon and growth parameters of immature Hevea..

   
6. Introduction of new fertilizer mixtures for nontraditional rubber growing areas

   Different fertilizer mixtures are being evaluated in four different places; Moneragala, Vauniya, Padiyathalawa and Badalkumbura to identify the best fertilizer mixture for non- traditional rubber growing areas.

7. Introduction of fertilizer tubes for enhancing fertilizer use efficiency in rubber plantations

   Investigate the effectiveness of “fertilizer tube” to enhance fertilizer use efficiency, reduce leaching loss of nutrients and totally cut down fertilizer application cost associated with repeated fertilizer applications for immature Hevea.

1. Modification of fertilizer recommendations of Hevea with reference to plant, soil and field parameters

Prepared three soil maps relevant to rubber growing areas in Galle, Matara and Kegalle districts and identified fifteen different soil series based on available sources “Soils of the Wet Zone of Sri Lanka” edited by R B Mapa et al., 1999, etc.Site Specific fertilizer r

Site Specific Fertilizer Recommendation Programme for mature rubber.

The use of fertilizers in the cultivation of rubber is an accepted practice. But optimum growth and yield of plants can be achieved only by properly balancing the nutrients according to the requirements of the rubber tree. Therefore, the foliar surveys of estates provides fertilizer recommendations specially suited to local soil conditions.

Rate :  Rs 130.00/ ha

Land Suitability Evaluation Programme

The selection of suitable land with proper soil characteristics is considered as key factor to ensure high return on investment. Therefore, broad range of land and soil properties could be considered for the preparation of land suitability report including of their suitability / unsuitability with appropriate corrective measures.

Rates : Rs. 1200.00/ha

Analytical service

Provide analytical reports on soil, plant, water and fertilizer samples. Specially issues fertilizer analytical reports to assure the application of good quality fertilizers for their rubber lands.

REVISED TESTING CHARGES – July 2022

Testing charges have been revised with effect from 01.07.2022, as mentioned in the following table.

Note: Please note that Transport charges, Priority charges & Institutional charges have not been added to the toal charges. It should be added to the total charges whenever necessary. Figuers are in LKR.