Recent advances in yield stimulation of rubber

Abstract

Despite competition with synthetic rubber, the natural rubber industry is still an expanding industry. Each year it increases its production, and it is consistently selling its entire production. The sharp fall in rubber prices over the past few years (Figure 1) however, has made it essential for the industry to develop cheaper methods to remain viable. While the rubber industry has not yet fully evaluated the use of the new stimulant Ethrel, it is a major hope that this product will make natural rubber more economically competitive with synthetic rubber. Following this article there is a report of trials on Ethrel carried out by DASF staff at the Bisianumu Rubber Centre on the Sogeri Plateau, Central District.