Overexploitation affects the growth of rubber trees.

According to information from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in recent years, due to the low price of rubber latex, people in many localities in the province have not focused on investment and care but mainly exploited the tree, affecting the ability to develop and withstand rubber trees. This is also the reason why pests on rubber trees easily arise and cause widespread damage.

Illustration - Photo: ST

It is known that the whole province currently has about 18,800 hectares of rubber trees, mainly distributed in the districts of Vinh Linh, Gio Linh, Cam Lo, Huong Hoa, Trieu Phong. The average rubber latex yield is 15 tons/ha. It is estimated that the rubber output in the province is about 20,000 tons of fresh latex/year.

According to records, in recent years, the growth and resilience of rubber trees in the area has tended to decline. The main reason is that due to low rubber prices, people do not focus on investment and care, but mainly exploit to the fullest. From the end of December 2023 until now, for a number of reasons, including improper exploitation techniques, many rubber areas in the area have lost leaves and new leaves do not grow according to the rules.

Due to the reduced resistance of rubber trees combined with unfavorable weather, recently, pests on rubber trees have been on the rise. Common diseases recorded are: latex, striped canker, powdery mildew, black leaf wilt...

According to statistics from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the whole province currently has 296 hectares of rubber infected with striped canker disease, 156 hectares infected with latex disease, 30 hectares infected with powdery mildew... In addition, the phenomenon of dry branches and leaf fall has been affecting about 600 hectares of rubber in the districts of Cam Lo, Gio Linh, and Vinh Linh.

Forecast for the coming time, the weather at night and early morning will be foggy. In some days, the temperature may drop due to the influence of cold air. This is a favorable condition for pests on rubber trees to arise and develop strongly.

Faced with this situation, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has requested the People's Committees of districts and relevant agencies and units to focus on implementing measures to prevent and control pests. However, in the long term, the participation of people in investing, caring for, protecting, and helping rubber trees increase their ability to recover and develop well is still the most important and necessary solution.

Quang Hiep

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