Guidelines and procedures

for Field Tapping

Introduction
This section discusses field tapping beginning with the opening of areas that
have new trees available for harvesting, plantation tapping and procedures,
tapping and collection methods and standards, tappers responsibility, and
preservation of field latex. The entire replanting costs and investments in
plantation will have to be repaid through proper and judicious exploitation of the
rubber trees.

1. Opening New Rubber Areas

Tapping is the process by which we obtain latex from the hevea tree.
Tappers who perform the regular extraction of latex must be skilled and well
trained workers. When a tree is well-tapped it can be productively
harvested for 20 years or more and still show a good economic return.
Tappers should be motivated always to maximize production with minimum
harm to the tree.

1.1 Preparing the Trees / Opening of Areas for Tapping

Opening for Tapping

For budded trees, the present recommendation is to open the trees for
tapping when a girth size of 45 cms or more is reached at a height of
160 cms from the ground. This recommendation was derived after
taking into account the anatomy and growth of the tree, average
height of tappers as well as yield comparison from different heights of
opening.

New areas should be brought into tapping either in the months of April
or October. Opening should be avoided during “wintering periods” and
dryer months.

Late Qualifiers

Late qualifiers refers to trees that do not meet the required girth size
during the opening. The bringing of these trees (late qualifiers) into
tapping and the re-tasking of new areas for tapping shall be done as
described in the preceding paragraph on the opening of new trees for
tapping.

Opening of the additional trees should be done by the tapper assigned

in the area, under close guidance of a tapping capataz. Panel marking
should be made on all trees measuring 45 centimeters and up.

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1.2 Panel Marking

The girth of a tree is measured with a piece of string that is then

halved if the proposed tapping cut is a half spiral. This is held
horizontally across the tree panel at a height of 5 feet ( 160 cms). The
other end of the string that stretches to the back of the tree forms the
guide line for the termination of the tapping cut. A vertical groove is
lightly cut to demarcate this guide line.

A template of thin galvanized iron with pre-cut guide- lines is used to

mark panels on budded trees. The template, a parallelogram with
pre-cut angles of thirty (30º) degrees, is nailed to 2.5 cm by 2.5 cm
wooden staff. The staff is placed against the tree in a vertical position
and the template wrapped around the trunk. Lines at 2.5 centimeters
(1 inch) intervals are then scratched on the tree with a sharp pointed
tool, using the slots in the pattern as a guide. The lines must be clear,
but not deep.

At least five (5) additional lines should be added below the first panel
line as they are cut off during the successive tapping. A shallow
vertical line on the left-hand vertical boundary (or back guide line) of
the panel shall likewise be made running from the top-edge of the
panel to the union of the tree.

E X H IB IT 1 : G r a p h ic a l P r e s e n ta tio n o f P r o c e d u r e
fo r O p e n in g tr e e s fo r ta p p in g

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The same procedure also applies for a front (right-hand) guide line.
These vertical lines mark the correct panel and tapping beyond the
lines should not be permitted. Nor should tapping be less than half
spiral (S/2), as potential production is then lost.

1.2 Equipping the Trees

After the panel has been marked, each tree will be equipped with:

1 Cup hanger, spring type for 750 ml cup.

1 Spout.
1 Tapping cup 750 ml.

This equipment must be placed on the newly marked trees, at least

one week before tapping will start.

1.4 Pre-opening the Cut

This initial cut must be made with a tapping knife for young rubber
with three over deepening cuts in the virgin bark. The objective is to
open a tapping groove in the virgin barks, making an initial cut
approximately 1” (2.5 cm) wide. This pre-opening permits the tapper to
start tapping closer to the proper tapping depths desired for
commercial tapping.

1.5 Setting of tapping tasks

Under normal conditions and using the total tappable trees in a given
area, the tapping task is established at 550-600 trees for flat land, and
about 525-540 trees for contour land with good terraces.

For steep areas that have no terraces, plantation management should

establish viable task sizes, bearing in mind the capacity of a tapper to
complete a task assignment within the prescribed tapping time, and
the corresponding effects of the arrangement in the costs of tapping.

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The number of trees per task / section will vary depending on the
tapping systems employed and the terrain. However, the following
guidelines should be followed whenever possible.
Table 1: Recommended Tasks Size for Plantations in Region 9
Level Year of Tapping
Terrain Length
of Cut 5 - 10 10 -1 5 15-20 20-25 25 above
Flat & Low ½S 550-600 525-550 500-525 475-500 450
Undulating
High ½S 350 325 300

High & Low 2 ½ S 250 225 200

Contour/ Low ½S 525-540 500-510 480 450 400

Terrace
High ½S 325 300 275

High & Low 2 ½ S 225 210 185

The recommended task size for plantation will vary according to the
age of trees and tapping systems adopted. Young trees brought into
tapping will require larger task size compared to old areas on account
of higher tree density per unit area, smaller girth size, shorter tapping
cut per tree, and uniform bark.

Conversely, when trees grow older, tapping becomes more laborious

as population per unit area decreases due to trees mortality / death,
hence, requiring bigger area per task. The length of tapping cut also
increases with age. Trees with uneven bark regeneration caused by
repetitive tapping, will require more time to tap per tree.

Tapping the recommended trees per tasks would optimize tappers

output and productivity, and would reduce tapping costs. For new
rubber areas that have not reached the ideal opening percentage of
60-70 %, it would be advisable to defer tapping for few months until
such time that the desired number of tappable trees is achieved,
otherwise, cooperatives will have to either expand the task size to
cover the standard number of trees required per tapper or reduce
tappers wages to correspond to the number of trees tapped per task,
in order to maintain tapping costs at reasonable level.

After the first tasking or demarcation of tasks, similar activities would

be conducted after six (6) months to one year to include all trees that
did not reach the required size during the initial tapping. With the

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inclusion of “late starter” trees for tapping, the number of trees in a

task would be higher. Thus, to keep the number of tappable trees
within the prescribed range, re-tasking has to be carried out.
For older trees, re-tasking is generally done every three years to
upgrade tasks size on account of diseases and trees mortality, and
adjustments brought about by changes in the tapping systems. Only
healthy and productive trees should be included in the counting and
re-tasking activity.

a. Standard downward tapping systems will be:

½ S d/3 - 67% with a task size of 550 to 600 trees per tapper.
Under special circumstances and with Management approval,
other downward tapping systems may be employed, like 1/2S d/2
100% provided that the shift in the tapping system should pass
thorough review and recommendations from authorized rubber
plantation experts/consultants.

b. Upward tapping.

The recommended upward tapping system will be ½ S d/3 or

v/2.d/4, which shall be tapped in combination with downward
tapping. Under normal conditions upward tapping shall be
employed about 10 years prior to replanting.

Should there be plans to consider upward tapping earlier than the

recommended period, it would be helpful for the organization to
seek first the opinion of a tapping expert for appropriate advice.

1.6 Designating Tapping Areas.

Third Daily Tapping System (d/3)

Any area to be tapped on a third daily system will be divided into three
equal sections, each containing an equal number of tapping tasks.
Each area will be tapped every third tapping day.

Fourth Daily Tapping System (d/4)

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If a fourth daily tapping system is used the new area will be divided
into four sections, each containing an equal number of tapping tasks.

Each area will be tapped every fourth tapping day.

1.7 Girth Measurements

Girth measurements shall be made annually every January in each

block, beginning when the trees are two (2) years old and continuing
until the trees are fifteen years old or until the trees have been tapped
through the B panel (BO-2).

In the case of planting tall stumped budding or seedlings, girth

measurements would begin one year from the time of field planting.

Average girth will be determined as follows:

a. Select and mark for identification about 100 trees in each block.
These trees should be representative of the entire block. This can
best be accomplished by selecting the trees in a diagonal line
through the block thereby more or less in a diagonal line through
the block thereby more or less equalizing any effects of different
soil types, etc.
b. Identify these trees by horizontally painting color red band, about 8
cms in width, 150 cms above the ground so that the same trees
will be measured each year.
c. Measurements will be taken by flexible tape, which should be of
quality materials in order to avoid distortion.

In all cases, the average girth will be determined by dividing the total
measurement of circumferences recorded by the number of trees
measured.

The average girth each year is to be recorded on the Block History

form (see Form 1-A, Annex). The girth increment is also to be
recorded and is calculated by subtracting the previous girth from the
present girth. The difference is the girth increment and represents the
amount of growth that has taken place since the last measurement
was made.

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Girth measurements must be made at the same time each year, in

order to make successive girth increment recordings comparable. If it
is necessary to measure trees at considerably more than one year
intervals, the average annual girth increment can be calculated as
follows:
(Present Girth - Previous Girth) x 12
No. of Months Elapsed.
= Average annual girth increment.

Over the years any trees marked for girth measurement which suffer
severe wind damage, or become non- representative due to disease
attack or physical injuries will no longer be included in this program.
It will not be necessary to introduce substitute trees to replace those
lost but merely continue measuring the remaining marked trees, from
which the average will be computed.
Girth measurements are important, because they reflect whether the
initial tree vigor is being maintained through proper field maintenance,
fertilizing and proper tapping. One expects a reduction of girth size
upon the start of tapping, but this will not completely retard the growth
of the trees.

1.8 Marking Tasks

a. Temporary Markings.

In a stand of young trees temporary markings shall be placed on

the boundary rows of each task. Every task shall be appropriately
marked.

b. Boundary Marking.

Because the task sizes change frequently in the first two years, a
metal plate on spring wire is recommended to marking tasks for
the said period. This will be changed to more permanent paint,
marked on the tree bark after two years from tapping.

After the second year, a single band of coaltar (acid free) will
indicate a boundary between tappers tasks. Two bands may also
be marked to indicate a boundary between capataze's areas.

Old bands, no longer in use, and other old boundary markings

shall be removed to avoid confusion.

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It is recommended that tasks boundaries be marked with arrows

pointing towards the inner potion of the tasks on trees located at
the extreme portion of the tasks. Natural boundaries and land
marks like rivers, ravines and roads should be used as tasks
boundaries when present.
c. Tapping Tasks

Tapping tasks numbers will be denoted by 15 (fifteen) cms height

numerals, painted two (2) meters above the ground, on the
boundary tree of the task, and on trees located within two meters
of the block boundary or middle path.

d. Directional Changes

Marks painted on a square metal plate will be used to indicate the

end of a tapping task and the beginning of a new task. Changes in
the direction of tapping, will also be marked on these metal plates.

The square plate itself indicates the first or last tree in the task,
and the arrows indicate the direction the tapper must follow.

2. Tapping Procedures

1. General Instruction

1.1 Starting Time

Tapping should preferably be carried out in the early hours when

the atmospheric condition facilitates higher turgor pressure within
the latex vessels and transpiration rate of the tree is low. This
operation is best executed between 8.00 pm to 7.00 am.

For practical reasons, tapping is normally done few hours before

sunrise, i.e. from 5 o’clock in the morning onwards. Tapping at a
latter time, especially when the sun has risen, will result in lesser
yield due to the drop in turgor pressure following the loss of water
from the tree due to transpiration.

Tappers should begin tapping NOT LATER than first light, unless it
is raining or the tapping panels are too wet to tap. If it is raining, an
alarm signal shall be made to alert tappers to just wait in their
respective houses until further advise. If the rain fell during the

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night, and trunks are too wet, the tappers should wait until they
hear the alarm signal from the tapping supervisor authorized to do
the call, whereupon they then report in the mustering line and
prepare for work.
Under normal conditions tapping operations follow standard
schedules to maintain a good crop yield. The following schedules
may be adopted as general guide for plantations in Region 9, to
wit:

Assembly area/ mustering line - 4:30 am - 5:00 am

Travel time to work area - 5:00 am - 5:45 am
Breakfast - 5:45 am - 6:00 am
Tapping Time - 6:00 am - 10:00 am (4 hrs)
Waiting time - 10:00 am - 12:00 nn (2 hrs)
Collection time - 12:00 nn - 2:00 pm (2 hrs)
Departure to Camp - 2:00 pm -

1.2 Morning Rains

When morning rains occur after commencement of tapping, the

Production Head or Assistant shall order tapping to cease until the
rain has completely stopped and the tapping panel is sufficiently
dry to resume tapping. Tapping will resume on a signal given by
the Assistant or the Department Head.

1.3 If the Production Head or Assistant considers the rain heavy

enough to cause a “wash-out” (referring to rain which falls or drips
into latex cups causing latex in the cups to overflow), he shall give
the order to begin collection immediately. Each tapper will collect
his own latex following the same route he followed in tapping, and
take all the latex to the latex station.

In situations where there is only light rain and the Head / Assistant
has given no signal to stop, collection schedule shall be the same
as on normal tapping days.

1.4 Normal collection should ideally be done after latex has stopped
dripping. This normally takes place between 11.30 am and 12.00
noon. This is about 5 to 6 hours after the first tree has been
tapped. Collecting after latex has stopped dripping will result in the
collection of higher volume of latex which are normally processed

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into first grade rubber product and lesser volume of second grade
cup lumps (scrap).

Under these conditions and with proper application of anti-

coagulants (e.g. ammonia application in the field), plantations
could easily achieve crop harvest of 80 % latex and 20 % cup
lumps as experienced in corporate farms.
1.5 The tapping schedule is sometimes disrupted by rain and other
factors that hinder tapping operation. Recovery tapping is
essentially a salvage operation that is conducted to make up or
recover crop-days that are lost because of rain interference and
other unforeseen events. Plantations usually resort to recovery
tapping to make up their crop estimate for the year. Recovery
tapping simply means going back to tap blocks/areas that were not
harvested due to rain or other interferences for specific number of
days through increasing frequency of tapping until such time that
tapping days or crop losses are fully recovered.

2. Methods of Tapping

2.1 Downward Tapping

Downward tapping generally means the controlled incision of bark

to extract latex from the tree starting from the opening height of
150 cms moving downward. This is done in both virgin bark and
renewed bark of the tree trunk.

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EXHIBIT 4: 2:A ATapper

EXHIBIT Tapper doing downward
doing Downward tapping
Tapping
on virgin bark
On Virgin panel
Bark Panel(BO-1)
(BO-1)
 Guidelines and procedures
for Field Tapping

Under this method the tapper will execute the following tapping
procedures:

a. With lump basket in hand, proceed tapping by following the

task assignment and directions of the rubber section assigned
per tapper.

b. Inspect at a glance the position of the spout and cup hanger

relative to the front channel and make adjustments if
necessary.

c. Collect the cup lump, tree lace and spout scrap in the lump
basket. None of the above may be thrown away.

d. Using the correct tapping knife for the age of the tree, open a
fresh tapping cut then put a clean latex cup in the hanger in an
upright position.

e. After a quick check to see that the latex is running properly in

the cut (down the front channel and into the cup) the tapper is
then ready to move to the next tree.

f. The tapper then moves on to the next tree while cleaning the
cup taken from the tree just tapped.

2.1.1 Bark consumption.

It is important that bark consumption be controlled so as to allow

sufficiently long period for bark renewal and subsequent re-tapping
of the same panel. Regular supervision by marking with white dots
or slits for monthly consumption is a good measure to achieve this.

Bark consumption should be as follows, per tap:

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d/2 - 1.5 mm per tapping - 2. 25 2.50 cm / month

d/3 - 1.8 mm per tapping - 1. 80 2.25 cm / month
d/4 - 2.0 mm per tapping - 1. 40 1.6 cm / month

Bark consumption is of vital importance, and must be vigorously

controlled.
2.1.2 Tapping Depth

The yield obtained from the tree is influenced by the skills of the
tappers. Tapping should only be to a depth of 1mm -1.2 mm from
the cambium. This is a layer where greater network of latex
vessels are found. Thus to obtain higher yield the tree has to be
tapped to a correct depth without wounding the cambium.

Blunt knives should be avoided as this will lead to poor yield as

latex vessel ends are smeared and get blocked thus restricting
latex flow. The tapping knife must be sharp to ensure a clean
incision.

2.1.3 Tapping / Bark Consumption Marks

Two and a half centimeters (2.5 cms) long monthly bark

consumption marks must be made at the top of the tapping cut,
and the last tap day in each task in every month. Every six months
an extra length cut (5 cm) is made to indicate end of December
and end of June. The monthly marks must be horizontal so as to
give an accurate measure of bark consumption. Angled marks will
either suggest too much or too little bark consumption. Marking of
monthly bark consumption may also be carried out through panel
dotting as practiced by some corporate farms.

2.1.4 Tapping Direction

The tapping direction which refers to the direction a tapper takes in

accomplishing his task, say north-to-south, shall be changed every
month to ensure that all trees have approximately equal drip time.

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2.2 Upward Tapping

Upward tapping means the controlled tapping of the rubber bark in

upward direction. The initial opening cut is normally carried out 5
cms above the back channel of the downward tapping cut for ½ S
upward tapping, or 5 cms above the lower cut of the opening panel
in the case of the v/2 cut.

U p w ard 40
0

T a p p in g 5 cm .
½ S

300
8 cm .

160 cm .
D o w n w a rd
T a p p in g
½ S
GRO UND LEVEL

EXHIBIT 3: Graphical Illustration of Upward Tapping in

Combination with Downward Cut

a. The tapper must try to follow the 40 angle of the tapping cut, as
marked on the tree. Panel markings must be made.

b. The upward cut should start 5 cm above the low end of the
point where downward tapping started.

c. Upward tapping, especially when the cut gets above 2 meters

is difficult, and there is often a tendency to consume too much
bark. Monthly bark consumption markings must be made by the
tapper at the low point of the cut, using the same length marks
as for downward tapping (2.5 cm and 5.0 cm respectively).

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d) Upward bark consumption for d/3 should not exceed 2 mm per

day, and for d/4 should not exceed 2.5 mm per day. This
consumption must be tightly controlled and subject to regular
inspection by the Quality Inspectors.

e) All tappers who perform upward tapping must be provided with

clear safety glasses, and they must use them. This is to prevent
bark shavings from falling into their eyes.
f) Use a gouge knife or improvised tapping knife for upward
tapping.

g) Use a “stick” to guide the latex down the cut. With the upside
down cut of upward tapping the latex is held in the groove by
surface tension, hence the need to guide the latex initially,
otherwise gravity may induce the latex to spill down the front of
the panel.

h) Presence of rain water in the panel will tend to break the

surface tension/ stickiness of latex.

i) The safety groove, above the bark island must be cleaned once
a month. The spout must be installed lower than the safety
groove. The purpose of the safety groove is to guide any latex
which may accidentally spill down the face of the panel into the
tapping cut, and not permit a loss of production.

j) The panel should be kept free of dry rubber which stays on the
panel face after there has been a spillage from the upward cut.
The upward tapping gauge must have a short wire hook on the
handle to facilitate pulling this dried lace off the panel face.

k) Severely leaning trees can be tapped upward, but often require

special treatment. This usually means a steeper cut and often,
moving the panel position so that the sides of the leaning tree
are tapped, and not the bottom and the top (because latex will
fall straight off the bottom cut)

2.3 Upward Tapping ( v/2 Cut )

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For v/2 cut, the two sides of the cut should be measured at 45
each.

The v/2 cut should have as its guide the edge of the virgin bark of
either HO-1 panel or HO-2 panel. The whole v/2 cut should start 5
cms above the previous downward tapping. A special template
must be used. Panels should be marked.

450 450
5 cm .

O ld D o w n w a r d
T a p p in g M a r k
½ v /2 160 cm .

EXHIBIT 4: Graphical Illustration of

Upward Tapping (V/2 Cut)

3. Tappers Responsibilities

3.1 Tapping Equipment

Each tapper is responsible for seeing that all his equipment is clean
and in serviceable condition. He is also responsible for supplying
missing equipment to trees in his task, and for reporting missing or
stolen equipment to his immediate superior.

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When a tapper is unable to work due to illness, he should send word

to his immediate capataz of his inability to work so that the equipment
assigned to him may be used by a supply or substitute tappers.

Each tapper shall carry or have the following tools and equipment on
his task on a daily basis, to wit:

For Downward Tapping:

Two (2) good tapping knives will be assigned per tapper. These
knives must be appropriate for the age of rubber being tapped.
The knives must be properly sharpened with a depth gauge in
the end of the handle.
One (1) honing stone for sharpening knives
Five (5) pcs. 500 or 750 cc plastic latex cups
Ten (10) pcs. Spouts
One (1) plastic cup lump basket
Five (5) pieces cup hangers
Two (2) 30 -liter latex cans (depending on task yield)
One (1) 20- liter galvanized latex collection pail
One (1) bark scraper ( made from old tapping knives)
One (1) plastic bottle (1,2 liter) for anticoagulant
A clean piece of plastic for each bucket
A length of inner tube rubber to tie each plastic cover

3.1.1 Equipment in the task

a) Tapping Cups.

For plantations that collect latex for centrifuging, cups should be

thoroughly cleaned once every 2 months (6 times a year). On a d/3
tapping frequency, the cleaning of all the cups in the 3 sections
should be completed within a period of 15-20 working days.

For plantations that collect latex for processing to crumb and sheet
rubber (i.e. PSR 5L, Pale Crepe 1) the frequency of cleaning cups
is reduced to every three to four months ( 3 to 4 months per year).

When the bottom of the tapping cut touches the ground preventing
the proper placement of cup and cup hanger, the cup shall be

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placed in a hole dug in the ground to hold the cup upward and
prevent spillage of latex. The hanger is placed on the trunk above
the panel for future use.

In the event that one cup cannot hold all the latex produced, an
additional cup or cups may be added, one below the other for
upward tapping, and for downward tapping, the panel should be
split in 2 halves, with a cup for each half.
b) Cup Hangers.

The spring type is used on all rubber trees, and is made of 135 cm
of 2mm steel wire. The diameter of the loop which holds the cup
must be 11.0 cm wide for 750 cc cup, and 10.0 cm wide for a 500
cc cup. The neck must stand out from the tree about 2.5 cms, to
enable the cup to sit in a horizontal position in the hanger.

The “pincer type” with a straight neck is used only on severely

leaning old trees, and is made off 115 cm of 2 mm wire.

c) Spouts.

Spouts are to be placed (wide end in the bark) 10 (ten) cm below

the low end of the tapping cut, and shall be lowered to a new
position when the cut is within 5 cms of the spout.

Spouts are driven into the bark at approximately a sixty (60)

degree angle from the tree. This enables latex to flow down easily.
The spout shall be deep enough in the bark to hold securely,
without wounding the tree.

Spouts should be kept as free as possible of old tree lace and “rats
tails” of coagulated rubber.

d) Lump Basket.

The basket used for lump, scrap and tree lace collection is made
from a used formic acid container or 20 liter plastic containers, with
a perforated bottom to permit drainage.

The basket should be cleaned daily and must be free from any
contamination at all times.

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The lump basket may also have an attached outside wire hook for
holding tapping cups.

e) Latex Cans.

Collecting Pail.

An 20 liter galvanized iron collecting pail should be used by the

tapper for collecting latex from tree to tree.

Each tapper must have sufficient 30 liter latex cans to receive all
the production from his task. For well built and healthy tappers,
collection may be done using a bamboo pole or “pingga”, where 2
latex pails hanging on opposite side of the poles are used to
collect bigger volumes of latex in a given route.

Except during stimulation period and clones identified as late

drippers, no latex may remain in the task for afternoon collection.

All pails / buckets must be clean, free of rust, and with no leaks.

f) Scrapers.

The scraper is used to scrape away dead bark prior to tapping, to

remove coagulated overflow, and to dig holes in the ground for cup
placement. Scrapers can be made from old tapping knives.

g) Care of Tapping Knife

Tapping knives are to be kept sharp at all times. Tapping knives

shall be inspected daily by the tapping capataz, and monthly by
the Tapping Inspector.

Each tapping knife shall have a hole in the blade, near the handle,
for adjusting cup hangers.

3.2 Tapping task or section.

a) The tapper shall tap all tappable trees, and collect all lumps and
tree laces and other rubber scrap from all productive trees of his
tasks. Wet cuplump contains volatile fatty acids (VFA) that can
cause fresh latex to pre-coagulate when contaminated.

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All latex shall be collected after completion of tapping and after

official collection signal is given.

b) Special attention must be given to tapping depth, avoidance of

wounds good bark consumption, and proper length of tapping cut.

c) The tapper must report the presence of panel diseases and any
other irregularities in his task such as fallen trees, theft of rubber
(lump and latex), theft of cups, illegal tapping and the presence of
stray animals.
d) Any tapper who is sick at home or meets an accident while
working in the field must try to send someone to report this fact to
his direct superior or Capataz.

e) The tapper will wait for the official collection signal, before
commencing with latex collection. The collection route through his
task shall be the same as the tapping route.

f) After collecting the latex, the tapper will replace the cup on the cup
hanger so that late drippings from tapped trees can be collected, at
the second (or next) collection. If there is a second collection the
tapper may add anticoagulant (ammonia or soda ash) to the cup.
g) The tapper should not leave latex on trees tapped in the morning
for second collection in the afternoon.
h) Tappers must be prohibited from bringing tree laces or cup lumps
to their house for household use.
i) Adulteration of latex with water or anything else is strictly
prohibited.
j) Care must be taken to prevent latex spillage on the way to the
latex station; all long buckets should have plastic covers tied onto
them.

3.3 Tappers Responsibilities at the latex station.

When the tapper has completed his collection, the next steps are:

a) To carry the latex to the receiving tank at the latex station, where
he pours it into the tank. He then returns the empty weighing
buckets to the latex station helper who will clean excess latex off
the exterior and then hand the buckets to the next user.

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In cases were a calibrated stick is used to measure individual

harvest instead of a weighing scale, the latex should first be
poured in a calibrated 20 liters pail before the volume of latex is
measured by the capataz or recorder.

b) The tapper will now take his tree lace and cup lump, including the
fresh coagulated latex from the day's tapping, and place same in
the lump weighing container at the station and finally have them all
weighed and recorded by the clerk. He should be encouraged to
check his raw rubber weights before placing it on the collection
station.
c) He will next dump the scrap rubbers into special containers
brought to the field for that purpose. The capataz on-duty or latex
receiver at the station will both be responsible to see that the
tapper does not weigh his knife and other equipment in with his
cup lumps.

d) After he has delivered his latex to the bulking tank and after his
properly assorted lump has been deposited in appropriate
containers, the tapper is required to rinse out his own latex
container at the station using clean water for each bucket.

e) The tapper is obliged to first thoroughly clean his buckets of all

traces of latex and of coagulated rubber and to rinse his lump
basket prior to leaving for the day. It is tapper's duty to keep his
tapping equipment clean.

4. Preservation of Field Latex

Treatment of Latex with Anti-coagulants

Field latex coagulates within 4-24 hours after leaving the tree; the actual
time being dependent upon the presence of certain bacteria and some
other destabilizing materials in the latex. Thus, preservation is a must in
order to maintain the latex in fluid condition and to prevent coagulation and
putrefaction. Preserving latex is important to ensure good recovery of high
grade rubber of up to 80% and better prices for the product. Generally,
fresh latex harvest is also used as basis in the computation of production
premium for tappers.

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The choice of preservatives used depends very much upon the grade and
type of rubber to be produced and the time of preservation required. The
latex is usually preserved with ammonia.

Ammonia, being a good biocide, has several advantages: it controls the

proliferation of acid-producing bacteria, neutralizes the free acid formed in
the latex and helps in the precipitation of heavy metal ions such as
magnesium.
Table 2: Recommended Formulation and Usage of Anti-Coagulants

Estimated Arrival Normal Wet/

Type of Production Anti-Coagulant Time at Factory Working Wintering
(4 PM) Day*
Season*

Pale, Crepe, Before 1 kg 1.50 kg

Soda Ash 10% 1.5 kg 1.75 kg
PSR5L, CV After

Ammonia Before 250 cc 300 cc

PSR5L, CV Solution 20% After 500 cc 500 cc

Ammonia Before 250 cc 300 cc

RSS Solution 20% After 350 cc 350 cc

Concentrated Ammonia Before 0.4 kg 0.4 kg

Centrifuge
Gas After 0.4 kg 0.4 kg
*Addition per 100 kgs wet Field Latex at the Latex Station

Regular Anti-coagulant:

There are two common anti-coagulants available for use in plantations.

These are:

1. 20% Ammonia solution.

This is normally prepared through trained personnel of the Tapping or

processing department and distributed to individual tappers through
small containers for field application. Tappers shall be issued about two
(2) liters of the solution per day to be applied to individual cups after
tapping.

A plastic container with a small hole in its cover can be used to apply 2-
3 drops of the ammonia solution per cup. The remaining solution should
be applied in the buckets after field collection.

* Ammonia Gas supplied in cylinders must always be kept inside a

secured station, except when in use.

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2. Soda Ash at 10% solution can also be used as substitute.

3. The solution should not be put into an empty container but must be
added after latex is poured into the container.

Normally anti-coagulants will be added to the latex in the collection

tanks. In cases when the truck with the transporting tank has been
delayed, the anti-coagulant must be added to the latex while it is still in
the buckets. Before adding anti-coagulants, latex in the buckets must be
strained.
When the truck arrives in the field after 2 P.M., to each bucketful of
latex, add 500cc of the 10% Soda Ash solution or corresponding
equivalent of ammonia solution. (Note: When the anti-coagulant had
been added to the buckets it should not be added again to the collection
tank.)

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