RUBBER THAI JOURNAL 1:1-18 (2012)
Journal home page: www.rubberthai.com

Growths and Carbon Stocks of Para Rubber
Plantations on Phonpisai Soil Series in
Northeastern Thailand

Chakarn Saengruksawong
Soontorn Khamyong, Niwat Anongrak, Jitti Pinthong

Department of Plant Science and Natural Resources,
Faculty of Agriculture Institution: Chiang Mai University

ARTICLE INFO

Article history:
Revise: 1 January 2012
Revise: in revise
Presentation of IRRDB

physical and chemical properties were analyzed in laboratory.
Rubber tree densities varied between 80-109 trees/rai
(1ha = 6.25 rai). Stem girth and height growths were
increased with the plantation ages. The growths were very
rapid for rubber trees having ages between 1 and 15 years old
and become slow for the older trees. The biomass amounts of
1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 years old plantations were in the order of
21.25, 55.24, 102.39, 140.50 and 215.39 Mg/ha. Ecosystem
carbon stocks in these plantations were increased with tree
ages as 26.29, 48.28, 76.62, 95.83 and 135.38 Mg/ha,
respectively. They involved two compartments; (1) biomass
carbon: 12.03, 31.45, 58.10, 79.78 and 122.01 Mg/ha; and (2)
soil carbon: 14.26, 16.83, 18.52, 16.05 and 13.37 Mg/ha. The
total carbon storage in natural forest was 134.62 Mg/ha;
124.20 Mg/ha in biomass and 10.42 Mg/ha in soil. The young
plantations had the high carbon percentages in soil and low in
biomass whereas carbon allocation in the older plantations
was higher in biomass and lower in soil system.
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Introduction

Thailand is the world leading producer
and exporter of para rubber (herein called
rubber) with production capacity of 3.1 – 3.2
million tons per year, with 88-90 percent of
total production capacity exported to foreign

(UNFCC), enforced in 2005. Even if Thailand
is a non-annex 1 member country that can
reduce greenhouse gas emission through the
clean development mechanism, the appropriate
approach is to plant para rubber plantation in
place of deforestation in Thailand. Because
rubber trees have production life of 20 years,
the plantation can be considered as forest
plantation as rubber tress increase in biological
mass as they age and has high capacity for
carbon stock storage.
Development of northeastern region as
part of the country’s rubber production
source will need a study on environmental
affect on growth pattern in different areas of
the region, especially rainwater, humidity, soil
characteristic and rock formation. Different
soil qualities have strong affect to the debt of
water drainable, physical, chemical and
biological properties (Bowen & Nambiar,
1989; Fisher & Binkley, 2000). It will also
influence the amount of carbon stock stored in
different age group of rubber trees hence will
affect the environmental role of rubber
plantation and will be an important data for
better management at relevant organizations.
Nongkhai Province has plantation area of
724,590 ha with areas suitable for rubber
plantation of 340,606 ha. It is also the province
with most area used for rubber plantation in its

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Growth and biomass of rubber
Three samples are selected from five
different age groups of plantations including 1
year, 5 years, 10 years, 15 years and 20 years
old that are 40 x 40 square meters in size.
Growth studies are done by measurements of
the tree circumference at height of 130
centimeters from the ground as well as
measuring the total height of the tree itself.
Biomass measure for the tree in each age
group are determined by cutting trees with
similar size and height to the average tree in
each plantation, one for each age group.
Samples trees are then divided into trunk,
branch, leaves and roots for analysis between
biomass and D
2
H to determine the carbon in
each part of the tree as well as the entire carbon
stock.

Growth of plant species and biomass in
referenced natural forest
Research samples are selected from
sample sites in natural forest of Phonpisai
District that are in close proximity to pilot

0.9
) + 0.172

when W = biomass (kilograms per hectare)
D = diameter at 1.3 meters from ground
(meters)
H = tree height (meters)

Soil characteristics, carbon stocks and
nutrition
Soil studies affecting rubber and plant
species growth in sample plantations and
natural forests are conducted by digging for
three sample soils in plantations aged 1, 5, 10,
15 and 20 years old as well as one sample soil
in natural forests, totaling 16 dig sites. Each
dig sites are 1.5 meters wide, 2.0 meters long
and 1.2 meters deep. Studies and analysis on
soil characteristic are done by studying the
physical and chemical properties of the soil.
Physical properties studied includes (1) total
soil density of the soil through the core
method, (2) gravel quantity for size more than
2 mm by weighting method, and (3) particle-
size distribution and soil texture by
hydrometer method. Chemical property
studied includes (1) soil reaction by pH meter
method in ratio of 1:1 with water, (2) carbon
exchange capcity (CEC), (3) total nitrogen by
micro Kjedahl method, (4) organic matter and

and 14.46 centimeter and bush sizes of 2.60,
RUBBER THAI JOURNAL 1:1-18 (2012)
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4.80, 5.30, 6.40 and 5.70 centimeters
respectively.
As for the amount of rubber tree that can
be harvested according to recommendations of
the RRIT, it is found that 5 years old
plantations do not have trees with
circumference higher than 50 centimeters, the
size appropriate for harvesting. Only 1.69% of
10 years old trees have circumference
measurement higher than 50 centimeters. The
ratio increases to 65.88% and 67.45% for 15
and 20 years old plantations respectively.
For the diameter of the trees, the standard
used for rubber wood purchases, it is found
that pilot plantations have diameters of 6
inches or more for 10 years old plantations.
However, only 5.91% of 10 years old tress
have diameter more than 6 inches and
increases to 53.31% and 56.86% for 15 and 20
years old plantations respectively.
Compared to southern rubber plantations,
the circumference, diameter and ratio of
harvest-read samples of the rubber trees in the
northeastern region is lower. This is due to the

roots equal 15.43, 18.59, 2.23 and 10.41 Mg/ha
respectively, calculated into a ratio of 33.07,
39.84, 4.67 and 22.30 percent respectively. 15
years old plantation has average biomass of
140.56 Mg/ha Biomass from trunk, branch,
leaves and roots equal 39.01, 72.50, 4.31 and
2.49 Mg/ha respectively, calculated into a ratio
of 27.29, 52.37, 2.97 and 17.36 percent
respectively. 20 years old plantation has
average biomass of 140.73 Mg/ha Biomass
from trunk, branch, leaves and roots equal
39.01, 72.50, 4.31 และ 2.49 Mg/ha respectively,
calculated into a ratio of 27.72, 51.52, 3.06 and
17.70 percent respectively.
Biomass of rubber trees increases as they
age with very fast rate from 1 to 15 years old
and slows down during 15 to 20 years old. The
ratio of biomass accumulation in each part of
the tree also changes as they age. In plantation
aged 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 years old, the ratio of
biomass accumulation compared to the total
biomass equals to 40.84, 37.03, 33.07, 27.29
and 27.72 respectively. The ratio for the
branch increases as the tree age, from 8.73 to
30.13, 39.84, 52.37 and 52.52 percent
respectively. In contrast, the ratio for the leaves
and roots decreases.

80
90
100
1 5 10 15 20
Plantation ages (years)
GBH (cm)
Rep.1
Rep.2
Rep.3

Ponpisai
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
1 5 10 15 20
Plantation ages (years)
H (m)
Rep.1
Rep.2
Rep.3

Ponpisai
0
5,000
10,000
15,000

(m)
(kg/tree)
1
1
79
8.86 + 1.97
6.57 + 0.83
2.70 + 0.20
3.6

2
78
7.69 + 1.56
6.53 + 0.69
2.60 + 0.20
2.8

3
77
8.13 + 2.22
6.36 + 0.70
2.60 + 0.20
3.1

Mean
78
8.23 + 1.99
6.49 + 0.75
2.60 + 0.20
3.2

80
34.79 + 9.12
12.04 + 1.45
4.80 + 0.60
87.6

2
79
34.60 + 6.66
12.03 + 1.26
5.20 + 0.80
81.7

3
78
40.96 + 7.23
11.87 + 1.17
5.90 + 0.60
114.5

Mean
237
36.76 + 8.26
11.98 + 1.30
5.30 + 0.80
94.5
15
1
86
50.92 + 10.63

284.1

2
86
53.05 + 8.89
14.22 + 1.18
5.70 + 1.40
244.1

3
84
55.44 + 10.65
14.08 + 1.14
5.70 + 1.40
266.8

Mean
255
54.45 + 10.30
14.46 + 1.38
5.70 + 1.40
264.9

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Table 2. Biomass of para rubber in different age plantations on Phonpisai soil series


218.1
1.36

3
77
97.0
20.9
39.0
80.8
237.8
1.49
Mean 78 100.8 21.5 40.5 83.9 246.8 1.54

%

40.84
8.73
16.41
34.02
100

5
1
71
1,297.9
1,115.6
225.5
909.8
3,548.8
22.18

2
79
2,203.8
2,417.4
332.5
1,500.2
6,453.9
40.34

3
78
2,898.9
3,695.4
399.3
1,936.8
8,930.5
55.82

Mean
79
2,468.6
2,974.3
357.3
1,665.0
7,465.1
46.66 %
33.07

3,905.1
22,489.3
140.56

%

27.29
52.37
2.97
17.36
100

20
1
85
6,584.9
12,665.6
714.3
4,186.4
24,151.2
150.95

2
86
5,933.2
10,584.5
670.4
3,805.0
20,993.1
131.21

texture in top soil found natural forest and
1, 5, 15 and 20 years old rubber plantations
to have sandy clay loam and 10 years old
planation to have clay soil. For bottom soil,
natural forest and 20 years old plantations
have clay soil, 1 and 10 years old
plantations have sandy clay loam to clay
and 5 and 15 years old plantation have
sandy clay loam to clay soil.

Bulk density: The top soil of
natural forest has medium density (1.52
Mg.m
-3
) and bottom soil has low to high
density. Soil of 1, 5 and 10 years old
plantation has very high density (2.21
Mg.m
-3
) and 15 years old plantation has
medium density (1.52 Mg.m
-3
). However,
20 years old plantation has fairly low
density (1.33 Mg.m
-3
). Bottom soil has high
fluctuation with values from fairly low to
very high and no difference is found
between age groups.


2. Soil chemical properties
pH: Top soil and bottom soil of
plantations aged 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 years old
have high reaction level of 4.6-5.0 pH. The
levels are similar to the nearby forest and no
difference between age groups is observed.

Organic matter contents: Top soil in the
Ap region for the plantation agede 1, 5, 10, 15
and 20 years old have values of 46.6, 12.1,
17.6, 28.6 and 15.1 g/kg respectively. The
values are medium to high and there is no
difference between age groups, which could
result from irregular use of fertilizers. The
bottom soil have fairly low to very low values
while natural forest have fairly high value of
32.9 g/kg in top soil and low to very low in
bottom soil.
The amount of organic carbon and
nitrogen are subject to change similar to the
other organic matter in the soil.

Available phosphorous: Top soil in
plantation aged 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 years old
have values of 3-5 mg.kg
-1
which is low.
Bottom soil has very low level. For natural
forest, top level have fairly low level (7

level in bottom soil.
Decomposed leaves and parts above the
soil of the rubber tree on the ground, as well as
the dead roots, will decompose to organic
matter in the soil and release various nutrient
into the ground. The quantity should increase
as the trees growth. However, there are no
different in the chemical property of the soil
between the age groups. This may due to the
organic matter and nutrient being used and
stored in the biomass. Some parts are lost with
the top soil erosion. Moreover, the use of
fertilizers can also cause high fluctuation in the
organic matter of the top soil.


Btcv3 110-143 39.52 14.00 46.48 36.20 2.25 2.45
BCv1 143-182 41.52 12.00 46.48 32.83 2.33 2.50
BCv2 182-210+ 31.52 18.00 50.48 35.63 2.32 2.54
10-year-old

Ap 0-19 43.52 12.00 44.48 50.56 2.20 2.55
Btcv1 19-46 25.52 10.00 64.48 20.40 2.24 2.51
Btcv2 46-92/101 33.52 16.00 50.48 51.01 1.53 2.51
Btcv3 92/101-135 51.52 10.00 38.48 5.16 1.40 2.51
BCv1 135-182 53.52 10.00 36.48 6.07 1.97 2.49
BCv2 182-210+ 35.52 16.00 48.48 9.65 1.90 2.52
15-year-old

Ap 0-20 48.80 24.00 27.20 42.91 1.58 2.28
Btcv1 20-40 30.80 18.00 51.20 37.28 1.59 2.45
Btcv2 40-80 22.80 20.00 57.20 19.71 1.35 2.49
Btv1 80100 22.80 22.00 55.20 1.59 1.33 2.28
Btv2 100-140 14.80 16.00 69.20 1.09 1.44 2.23
BCv1 140-180 28.80 20.00 51.20 8.76 1.50 2.15
BCv2 180-210+ 12.80 28.00 59.20 7.35 1.49 2.40
20-year-old

Ap 0-17 66.80 12.00 21.20 14.49 1.33 2.39
Btcv1 17-40 50.80 18.00 31.20 79.74 1.59 2.69
Btcv2 40-107 38.80 12.00 49.20 25.73 1.69 2.32
BCv1 107-145 34.80 18.00 47.20 31.19 1.61 2.42
BCv2 145-185 30.80 26.00 43.20 22.37 1.69 2.25
BCv3 185-203+ 34.80 24.00 41.20 11.28 1.61 2.40
Btv 98-154 13.52 32.00 54.48 14.59 1.19 2.21
BCv 154-210+ 29.52 16.00 54.48 43.49 1.25 2.29

Table 4. Soil chemical properties under different age rubber plantations and adjacent dry dipterocarp forest on
Ponpisai soil series

Horizo

Depth
pH
OM
C
N
Avail.

Avail.

CEC
EA
BS

(cm) g/kg

mg/kg
cmol /kg

%

82/88-135/158
4.7
2.5
1.45
0.13
1
100
14.4
12.12
6.82
BCv1
135/158-190
4.7
1.8
1.04
0.10
1
110
15.1
13.55
5.25
BCv2
190-210+
4.5
2.0
1.16
0.10
1
193
15.6

0.10
2
83
7.4
5.76
13.72
BCv2
182-210+
4.8
2.5
1.45
0.10
1
80
7.0
5.76
13.04
10-year-old Ap
0-19
5.0
17.6

92/101-135
5.0
5.0
2.90
0.10
1
61
6.1
3.01
22.78
BCv1 135-182 4.9 5.0 2.90 0.10 1 77 8.3 5.67 13.32
BCv2 182-210+ 4.7 3.9 2.26 0.10 1 80 9.6 6.50 9.23
15-year-old
Ap
0-20
4.8
28.5
16.53
1.10
4
100

0.27
1
85
10.9
8.77
7.26
2Btv4
100-140
4.7
3.0
1.74
0.10
1
109
14.0
11.68
5.37
2BCv1
140-180
4.6
1.3
0.75
0.10
1
121
11.4
9.90
5.29
2BCv2
180-210+

13.48
BCv1
107-145
4.9
2.7
1.56
0.10
1
44
7.3
5.86
7.14
BCv2
145-185
4.9
2.0
1.16
0.10
1
36
6.9
5.42
6.50
BCv3
185-203+
4.6
1.7
0.98
0.10
1

Btv 98-154 4.8 3.0 1.74 0.18 2 120 18.4 15.47 13.30
BCv
154-210+
4.6
3.7
2.14
0.17
8
128
19.0
15.47
15.48
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Carbon Stocks in Para Rubber Plantations
and Natural Forest
1. Biomass carbon storages
(1) Rubber plantations
Rubber trees synthesis light and absorb
carbon dioxide to produce carbohydrate. This
result in carbon accumulation in organic form.
The estimate of carbon accumulation level can
be calculated from the biomass (dry mass).
Hence, biomass is related to the growth rate
and density of the rubber tree in each age group.
Biomass data and analysis of carbon level
in each part of the tree can be used to calculate

plantation increase as they age, with highest
rate during 1 to 15 years old trees and slow
down in 15 to 20 years old trees. The ratio of
biomass in each organ changes as the trees age
similar to the biomass level. Compared to
RRIM 600 in 25 years old plantation of eastern
region, it is found that the sample 20 years old
plantations have less carbon stock than in
rubber plantation of eastern region. This is due
to the lower growth period from dry climate,
low soil fertility and high density of trees in
each plantation of up to 91 trees/rai.
(2) Natural forest
Table 6 and 7 shows that dipterocarp
forest has 76 plant species with density as high
as 1,119 trees/rai. Specie with highest density
is the S. obtusa with S. siamensis and C.
subulatum. Specie with highest significant
factor is the S. obtusa (18.05% of all species)
and S. siamensis, C. subulatum, C. formosum
and M. edule having 15.86%, 10.23%, 3.61%
and 2.77% significant factor respectively. The
five species have aggregate significant factor
of 50.52% of all plant species. Biomass of all
plant species equals 92.48 Mg/ha, divided into
trunk, branch, leaves and roots to 60.21, 15.54,
2.84 and 13.89 Mg/ha respectively. Carbon
sock level in biomass equals to 45.68 Mg/ha,
divided into trunk, branch, leaves and roots to
30.04, 7.57, 1.37 and 6.70 Mg/ha respectively.


Ponpisai
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
16,000
1 5 10 15 20
Plantation ages (years)
C (kg/rai)
Rep.1
Rep.2
Rep.3

Fig. 2 Biomass carbon stocks in rubber plantations on Phonpisai soil series Table 5. Biomass carbon storages in rubber plantations on Ponpisai soil series

Plantation Plot Carbon amounts (kg/rai)
Total biomass
carbon
Age (years)
No.
Stem
Branch

57.3
12.3
22.2
47.9
139.7
0.87
5
1
745.8
641.1
123.8
519.3
2,030.0
12.69

2
702.7
589.1
118.6
491.0
1,901.4
11.88
3 502.3 357.4 94.0 358.4 1,312.1 8.20
Mean 650.2 529.2 112.1 456.2 1,747.8 10.92
10
1
1,320.1
1,613.1
186.6
889.2

6,003.4
339.1
2,036.5
11,576.8
72.36

3
3,931.2
8,021.5
394.9
2,476.4
14,824.0
92.65

Mean
3,509.9
6,730.1
367.0
2,229.0
12,836.0
80.23
20
1
3,774.7
7,271.3
392.1
2,389.5
13,827.6
86.22
2 3,401.1 6,076.5 368.0 2,171.8 12,017.5 75.11

103.48
476.76
3,075.77
2
Shorea obtusa
1,828.23
425.48
96.17
440.62
2,790.49
3
Canarium subulatum
1,309.90
354.00
55.39
286.79
2,006.09
4
Terminalia alata
811.76
342.82
13.59
134.26
1,302.44
5
Dipterocarpus obtusifolius
716.11
190.89
30.63
156.03

Bombax anceps
173.79
62.21
3.55
30.45
270.00
11
Quercus kerrii
166.93
41.22
8.08
38.40
254.62
12
Walsura robusta
144.48
36.02
6.89
33.13
220.51
13
Stereospermum fimbriatum
129.51
32.44
6.13
29.54
197.63
14
Dalbergia velutina
121.78

16.06
107.47
19
Strychnos nux-vomica
65.63
15.91
3.25
15.13
99.91
20
Buchanania latifolia
63.18
11.77
4.21
17.89
97.05
21
Pterocarpus macrocarpus
55.23
14.67
2.36
12.01
84.28
22
Sindora siamensis
46.49
7.96
3.32
14.04
71.82

37.90
6.41
2.73
11.43
58.47
28
Schoepfia fragrans
33.01
5.80
2.30
9.56
50.67
29
Symplocos recemosa
29.53
5.81
1.87
7.98
45.19
30
Olea salicifolia
27.55
4.74
1.95
8.08
42.32
31
Mimusops elengi
23.90
3.50

28.46
36
Wendlandia tinctoria
16.99
3.35
1.07
4.51
25.91
37
Garcinia sootepensis
16.14
3.04
1.06
4.44
24.69
38
Phyllanthus emblica
14.57
2.12
1.16
4.83
22.68
40
Memecylon scutellatum
11.85
1.56
1.00
4.23
18.65
41

0.96
0.64
2.67
11.72
46
Mitrephora vandaeflora
6.70
0.85
0.58
2.44
10.57
47
Climber
6.83
1.03
0.53
2.17
10.56
48
Catunaregam spathulifolia
6.56
0.80
0.58
2.45
10.38
49
Vitex peduncularis
6.45
0.95
0.52

54
Lithocarpus elegans
4.85
0.66
0.40
1.68
7.59
55
Bridelia affinis
4.06
0.45
0.38
1.61
6.49
56
Antidesma ghaesembilla
4.07
0.67
0.30
1.23
6.27
57
Antidesma velutinosum
3.76
0.53
0.30
1.26
5.86
58
Colona floribunda

0.15
0.63
2.96
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Species
Plant name
Biomass (kg/rai)
No.

Stem
Branch
Leaf
Root
Total
63
Artabotrys vanprukii
1.91
0.27
0.15
0.63
2.96
64
Rhus javanica
1.41
0.17
0.13

69
Euodia roxburghiana
0.84
0.10
0.07
0.31
1.33
70
Brucea javanica
0.68
0.06
0.07
0.30
1.10
71
Anneslea fragrans
0.53
0.06
0.05
0.21
0.85
72
Gnetum montanum
0.46
0.05
0.04
0.19
0.74
73
Lepisanthes rubiginosa

453.64
2,222.51
14,796.51

Total (Mg/ha)
60.21
15.54
2.84
13.89
92.48 Table 7. Biomass carbon storages in the natural dry dipterocarp forest

SpeciBiomass Carbon
No.
Plant name
Stem
Branch
Leaf
Root
Total

kg/rai

643.30
5
Dipterocarpus

357.34
92.9636
14.79587
75.20499
540.30
6
Syzygium cumini
232.55
57.33505
10.64413
51.97803
352.51
7
Careya sphaerica
116.51
32.9359
4.103232
23.06325
176.61
8
Ulmus lancaefolia
101.98
26.70888
4.149266
21.18202
154.02


64.63
15.79787
2.961339
14.24007
97.63
14
Dalbergia velutina
60.77
11.33827
3.819067
16.0013
91.92
15
Spondias pinnata
38.56
9.987194
1.613094
8.265305
58.43
16
Cratoxylum

36.90
5.562423
2.758679
11.61181
56.83
17
Flemingia

Pterocarpus

27.56
7.14656
1.141945
5.789003
41.64
22
Sindora siamensis
23.20
3.877831
1.605819
6.767095
35.45
23 Litsea glutinosa 23.35 4.906418 1.307327 5.789779 35.35
24
Memecylon sp.
21.37
2.850456
1.717209
7.201149
33.13
25 Aporosa villosa 19.95 3.128594 1.438433 5.944953 30.46
26
Zizyphus
ii
19.32
4.165525
1.048171
4.627629

1.576626
0.728916
2.996283
15.41
34 Garuga pinnata 9.48 2.067498 0.507796 2.241222 14.30
RUBBER THAI JOURNAL 1:1-18 (2012)
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14
SpeciBiomass Carbon
No.
Plant name
Stem
Branch
Leaf
Root
Total

kg/rai
Garcinia merguensis
6.96
0.76074
0.621759
2.65883
11.00
40
Memecylon

5.91
0.761687
0.485036
2.040108
9.20
41
Macalanga

4.72
0.835322
0.310317
1.28797
7.15
42
Antidesma acidum
4.29
0.459364
0.386565
1.655269
6.79
43

3.41
0.503608
0.254642
1.048317
5.21
48
Catunaregam

3.27
0.387728
0.279796
1.182165
5.12
49
Vitex peduncularis
3.22
0.462529
0.249247
1.049682
4.98
50
Terminalia chebula
3.13
0.556321
0.205279
0.846819
4.74
51
Artocarpus lakoocha
3.04

0.181855
0.777476
3.20
56
Antidesma

2.03
0.325214
0.14429
0.593563
3.09
57
Antidesma

1.88
0.258609
0.146922
0.609568
2.89
58
Colona floribunda
1.47
0.223648
0.107767
0.441944
2.24
59
Pavetta sp.
1.07
0.126832

1.46
64
Rhus javanica
0.70
0.080549
0.061009
0.257741
1.10
65
Pavetta tomentosa
0.68
0.068917
0.063104
0.272269
1.09
66
Flacourtia indica
0.66
0.085662
0.053648
0.222815
1.02
67
Aganosma marginata
0.63
0.080849
0.05142
0.213808
0.98
68

0.023896
0.020904
0.089593
0.36
73
Lepisanthes

0.19
0.016924
0.019258
0.085133
0.31
74
Bridelia affinis
0.19
0.018754
0.017462
0.075365
0.30
75
Mitragyna hirsuta
0.12
0.011257
0.011947
0.052357
0.20
76
Antidesma sp.
0.07
0.005441

15

2. Carbon storages in soils
Accumulated carbon in the form of
organic matter is different between each age
group. Natural forest have organic matter of
57.81 Mg/ha, calculated to carbon level of
33.53 Mg/ha. In plantations aged 1, 5, 10, 15
and 20 years old, the level is at 37.37, 64.41,
49.37, 53.85 and 20.74 Mg/ha respectively.
With the average carbon in organic matter is
at 58 percent, the carbon level is calculated to
be 21.67, 37.36, 28.64, 31.23 and 12.03
Mg/ha respectively.
1 year old plantations have higher
carbon level than older plantations because of
the plowing that produces humus. For 5 years
old plantation, the level is lowest from the
erosion of the top soil. The carbon level
increases along with the age but 20 years old
plantations have low level, possibly due to the
originally low fertility level of the soil and
partly due to the top soil erosion.

Table 8. Biomass carbon storages in soils under rubber plantations and dry dipterocarp forest

Horizon Depth
Soil

Organic matter Org. Carbon

Bt1
40-82/88
110.0
1,044.0
6,525.00
605.5
3,784.50
Btc1
82/88-100
70.0
318.0
1,987.50
184.4
1,152.75
5,978.8
37,367.30
3,467.7
21,673.03
5-year-old
Ap1
0-19

868.9
5,430.66
Ap2
19-46
130.0
2,265.0
14,156.10
1,313.7
8,210.54
Bt1
46-100
450.0
4,136.8
25,855.20
2,399.4
14,996.02
7,899.9
49,374.50
4,582.0
28,637.21
15-year-old

0-17
40.0
1,191.1
7,444.30
690.8
4,317.69
Ap2
17-40
20.7
417.3
2,608.20
242.0
1,512.76
Bt1
40-100
198.0
1,710.7
10,692.00
992.2
6,201.36
3,319.1
20,744.50
1,925.1
12,031.81
Dry dipterocarp forest

RUBBER THAI JOURNAL 1:1-18 (2012)
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16

3. Ecosystem carbon storages
Accumulation of carbon level in the
ecosystem can be divided into two
types, the accumulation in biomass and
accumulation in soil. In natural forest,
the carbon level in the ecosystem
measures to 79.21 Mg/ha while in rubber
plantations aged 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 years
measures to 22.54, 48.28, 55.32, 111.46
and 92.60 Mg/ha respectively.
The amount of carbon increases as
the biomass of the rubber trees increases
as they age. Younger plantations have high
ratio of carbon in the ground and decreases
as they age. The ratio of accumulation in
biomass also increases as they age.
However, 20 years old plantation has
lower carbon accumulation than 15 years
old plantation. The reason maybe the
inappropriate environment and some part
due to the different in management.Table 9. Ecosystem carbon storages in rubber plantations and dry dipterocarp forest

31.23
30.00
111.46
20-year-old

80.57
87.00
12.03
13.00
92.60
Natural forest
45.68
57.00
33.53
43.00
79.21

Conclusion

Plantation in Phonpisai area was
dipterocarp forest, with original rock
formation as hard rock, siltstone and sandy
stone. Soil in dipterocarp forest is 5
centimeters thick. When turned into rubber
plantation, the plowing increases the
thickness to 15-20 centimeters. Original
top soil in dipterocarp forest is sandy clay
loam and bottom soil is clay soil. The soil
content and density has very little change
between plantation age groups. Soil

biomass increases as the trees age with
highest rate between 1 to 15 years old and
slows down when 15 to 20 years old. The
ratio of biomass accumulation in each part
of the tree also changes as they age with
the branch increasing in biomass and
leaves and roots decreasing. When the
RUBBER THAI JOURNAL 1:1-18 (2012)
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17

trees are 20 years old, the biomass is 48.24
Mg/ha higher than dipterocarp forest.
Amount of accumulated carbon in biomass
of rubber plantation also increases by age
with the highest rate during 1 to 15 years
old and slows down during 15 to 20 years
old. Plantations aged 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20
years old have total carbon level of 0.87,
10.92, 26.68, 80.23 and 80.57 Mg/ha
respectively while dipterocarp forest only
have 45.68 Mg/ha Even if there is less
carbon stock in Nong Khai District
compared to those in eastern region, the
future bolds well when rubber trees in
Nong Khai grow and increase in size to
near carbon stock level of plantations in
the eastern region.
Phonpisai soil is usually covered with

future, the area has available plantation
area as high as 2.67 million ha that can be
utilized as important national carbon stock
and create value up to 10 billion Baht.

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank
Director General of Department of
Agriculture, Director General of Land
Development Department and Director of
Department of Plant Science and Natural
Resources, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang
Mai University for chemical analysis of
plant and soil samples as well as Nongkai
Rubber Research Center staffs for
facilitate soil samples collection. Thanks to
students in Department of Plant Science
and Natural Resources, Faculty of
Agriculture, Chiang Mai University for
their help during soil sampling and
measuring rubber growths.

References

Bowen, G.D. and E. K.S. Nambiar. 1989.
Nutrition of Plantation Forests.
Academic Press, London, 505p.

Fisher, R.F. and D. Binkley. 2000.

the monsoon tropics. Kyuma, K and
Pairintra, C. (ed.). A report of a
cooperative research between Thai-
Japanese universities.

ARTICLE INFO

Article history:
Revise: 1 January 2012
Revise: in revise
Presentation of IRRDB
Conference, 15-16
December 2011,
Changmai, Thailand
Accepted:
30 January 2012
Availabel online:
15 February 2012 Keywords:
rubber tree, standard
values, nutritional
diagnosis, leaf nutrient
ABSTRACT

0.01 M CaCl
2
) concentrations in soil were 10 - 20, 40 - 80,
50 - 600, 25 - 35, 30 - 90, 0.5 - 1.5, 0.5 - 1.5 and 0.3 - 0.7
mg/kg respectively. The optimum ranges for K/Mg, K/Ca
and Mg/Ca in soil were 2.0 - 6.0, 0.4 - 1.4 and 0.2 - 0.6
respectively. The optimum ranges for N, P, K, Ca, Mg and
S concentrations in leaves were 3.2 - 3.8, 0.25 - 0.30, 1.0 -
1.4, 1.0 - 1.5, > 0.35 and 0.2 - 0.3 % respectively, and for
Fe, Mn, Cu, and B were 90 - 130, 300 - 500, 10 - 15, and 40
- 80 mg/kg respectively. The optimum ranges for K/Mg,
K/Ca and Mg/Ca in leaves were 3.0 - 4.2, 0.8 - 1.4 and 0.3 -
0.5 respectively. The optimum ranges of CEC, Mg in soil,
Mn in soil and Zn in leaves were unable to establish.
RUBBER THAI JOURNAL 1:19-31 (2012)
Journal home page: www.rubberthai.com20
INTRODUCTION

Thailand is the largest natural
rubber producer, and produces the highest
mean yield as well. However, actual
productivity is still below the potential
yield of rubber plant. Thus, Thailand has
potential to increase productivity by

elements are not meet the demand of plant,
the use of major nutrient elements alone
will not give benefit anymore. Thus, the
concept has shifted from fertilization to
integrated nutrient management to sustain
yield and maintain soil quality and prevent
deterioration (FAO, 2006). The integrated
nutrient management needs to know the
nutrient status in soil and plants, the ability
of plant nutrient uptake, and also the
nutrient removal, to adopt the balance of
nutrient. The standard values for assessing
nutrient status both in soil and in leaves are
essential. Recommendations for rubber
plant have been proposed (Thainugul,
1986; Pushparajah, 1977). However, the
values are not complete, and the analytical
methods are not widely used at the present.
Standard values can be developed
from the correlation between plant nutrient
concentration and tree performance or
yield. To create such a correlation, in the
case of short-lived plants can be carried out
by pot trials or field experiments by adding
different rates of nutrients (de la Puente
and Belda, 1999), but in the case of
perennial plants a nutrient survey method
is more favorable (Poovarodom &
Chatupote, 2002; Onthong et al., 2006;
Maneepong, 2008). Generally, nutrient


RUBBER THAI JOURNAL 1:19-31 (2012)
Journal home page: www.rubberthai.com21
MATERIALS AND METHODS

1. Sampling: A nutrient survey of
a RRIM 600 rubber clone at the age of 4
years from 43 farmer plantations in east
coast of upper part of southern Thailand
was carried out during June – July 2009.
Girths at 150 cm height were measured for
growth index for 100 trees from the
homogeneity area and space out at least
two rows from the edge. Soil and leaves
were sampled in a sub-plot of that area from
each plantation. Soil samples were collected
in X-cross shape for 9 holes/plantation
within a sup-plot, using a soil auger at the
depth of 0 - 30 cm. Soil samples were
mixed together and sampling again to make
a composite sample. Second and third
leaves were sampled at 3 - 5 months of age
from the terminal whorl of branches in the
canopy. Leaves were sampled from 12 – 15
trees/plantation and all samples were
mixed together to make a composite
sample.

cation exchange capacity (CEC; calculated
from the summation of EA and
exchangeable Ca, Mg, Na and K) and base
saturation (BS; calculated from the
summation of exchangeable basic cations
divided by CEC) (Jones, 2001).
3. Leaves analysis: Leaves
samples were dried at 65 – 70 °C then
ground and sieved through 1 mm sieve,
and analyzed for N (Kjeldahl method), P,
K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn (digested
with HNO
3
: HClO
4
= 2 : 1, analyzed P by
vanadomolybdate method, K by flame
photometry, S by turbidimetry and Ca, Mg,
Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn by atomic absorption
spectrophotometry) and B (burned with
CaCO
3
, dissolved in 1 : 1 of HCl : water,
and analyzed the concentration by
azomethine-H method) (Tandon, 1995;
Jones, 2001).
4. Data processing: The scattered
plot diagrams were constructed between
mean girth and soil properties, or nutrient
concentrations both in soil and leaves.

block out from other prominent factors.
However, the result showed that pH
RUBBER THAI JOURNAL 1:19-31 (2012)
Journal home page: www.rubberthai.com22
correlated with BS. Therefore, the
optimum pH range could be derived from
the relationship between BS and mean
girth. The mean girth was highest at 50.7
% BS. The result indicated that rubber
plants prefer acidic soil (figure 1 and table
1). This result conforms with the
recommendation of Rubber Research
Institute of Thailand (2008) (pH 4.5 – 5.5),
and conforms with the studies of Sangsing
and Chaipanit (2009), which found that the
girth was negative linear relationship with
soil pH.
Mean girth responded to changing
of EA. The range of EA also covered the
optimum range. After removal of outliners
on the low data points, the optimum range
of EA should be 10 - 30 mmol(+)/kg
(figure 2 and table 1).
Samples used in this study had
CEC in a range of 7 – 97 mmol(+)/kg
which was in the rank of low to very low
as follow ranking of Thainugul (1986).

5.0
5.5
6.0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Base saturation (%)
Soil pHFigure 1 The relationship between BS and mean girth of rubber at 150 cm height (left), and the relationship
between BS and soil pH (right).

y = -0.026x
2
+ 0.9985x + 24.658
R
2
= 0.5148
0
10
20
30
40
50
0 10 20 30 40
Exchangeable acidity (mmol(+)/kg)
Mean girth (cm)

y = -0.0003x
2
+ 0.144x + 27.461

Leaf N was in the range of 2.2 –
3.5 % which almost covered in low range
as follow the ranking of Thainugul (1986).
The result revealed that the optimum range
of N in leaves was 3.2 – 3.8 %, which was
nearly equal to the previous
recommendation (3.31 – 3.70 %)
(Pushparajah, 1977) (figure 3 and table 2).y = -5.0314x
2
+ 18.52x + 17.42
R
2
= 0.4044
0
10
20
30
40
50
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0
Organic matter (%)
Mean girth (cm)

y = -4.5762x
2
+ 32.733x - 25.235
R

tended to respond to K in soil up to 80
mg/kg. Therefore, optimum range in soil
should be 40 – 80 mg/kg, and in leaves
should be 1.0 – 1.4 % (figure 4, table 1 and
2). The optimum range of K in soil was
lower than the generally recommendation,
recommendation of pomelos, and the
previous recommendation (Jones, 2003;
Somsak, 2008; Thainugul, 1986). It might
due to the influence of K-Mg antagonism.
The increasing of soil K decreased Mg
uptake by rubber plants. As a result, the
mean girth decreased (figure 6). This result
was similar to the result of Ologunde and
Sorensen (1982) (as cited in Fageria,
2009). They grew sorghum with various
levels of K and Mg in a sand culture
system, and found that K depressed the
concentration of Mg substantially in the
shoots, but the effect of Mg on K was a
slightly antagonistic effect or no effect at
all. Hannaway et al. (1982) (as cited in
Fageria, 2009), using solution culture,
found that increasing levels of K in
solution decreased the shoot concentration
of Mg in fescue. It can be deduced that
K/Mg imbalance retards rubber growth.
So, the use of K fertilizer and neglect Mg
may not appropriate for the growth of
rubber plant in the upper part of southern

Pushparajah and Tan (1972) (as cited in
Lau and Wong, 1993) found that the
addition of Ca through application of
phosphate rock in normal or high rate on
leaf Ca content did not appear to be
significant. However, Ca is an essential
element for plant growth. Suntaree and
Jintana (2006) reported that Ca was the
most immobile in stem and branch of
rubber. They suggested that Ca should
adequately supply through the fertilizer
application scheme. Pushparajah (1977)
had proposed the optimum range of leaf Ca
for rubber should be 0.5 – 0.7 %, which
was lower than optimum range in this
study. It might be caused by take effect of
Ca on latex flow into consideration,
because excessive Ca can cause in stability
in the latex vessels resulting in early pre-
coagulation, thus reducing the time of flow
and yield. The concentrations of Mg in soil
did not cover the optimum range even if
the outliners were removed, and Mg in soil
did not correlate with Mg in leaves. As a
result, Mg in soil was unable to
establishment. The graph showed that Mg
in leaves did not cover the optimum range.
Therefore, an optimum range of Mg in
leaves should be more than 0.35 % (figure
6 table 2), which was higher than the

50
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Exchangeble K in soil (mg/kg)
Mean girth (cm)

y = -696.11x
2
+ 368.35x - 14.224
R
2
= 0.4516
0
10
20
30
40
50
0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30
P in leaves (%)
Mean girth (cm)

y = -37.427x
2
+ 90.251x - 20.235
R
2
= 0.4888
0
10
20

+ 0.011x + 0.6989
R
2
= 0.2385
0.0
0.4
0.8
1.2
1.6
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Exchangeable K in soil (mg/kg)
K in leaves (%)

Figure 4 The relationship between P in soil and mean girth at 150 cm height (top left), P in leaves and mean
girth at 150 cm height (middle left), P in soil and P in leaves (bottom left), K in soil and mean girth at
150 cm height (top right), K in leaves and mean girth at 150 cm height (middle right), and K in soil
and K in leaves (bottom right)

Sulfur both in soil and in leaves
were scattered in a wide range (figure 7).
After removal of the outliners, the result
showed that the optimum ranges in soil and
in leaves should be 25 – 35 mg/kg and 0.2
– 0.3 % respectively (table 1 and 2). The
optimum range in soils was higher than the
general recommendation (Jones, 2001) and
in leaves were higher than the previous
recommendation (Pushparajah, 1977) (0.20
– 0.25 %). Most S content in soil is in
organic compound, which must be

2
+ 40.477x + 6.9345
R
2
= 0.4668
0
10
20
30
40
50
0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0
Ca in leaves (%)
Mean girth (cm)

y = -4E-06x
2
+ 0.0028x + 0.8432
R
2
= 0.2517
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
0 200 400 600 800
Exchangeable Ca in soil (mg/kg)
Ca in leaves (%)