Distribution of Rubber Leaf Fall Disease in the Swamp Lands of Barito Kuala District

Abstract

Swamp land is a rubber development area in South Kalimantan and rubber plants are a leading commodity in South Kalimantan which is in second place after palm oil plants. Starting in 2019, the rubber industry in Indonesia experienced an outbreak of leaf fall disease. This disease causes a decrease in latex production of up to 50%, even in advanced conditions without treatment, infected plants will rot and die. The aim of this research was to study the distribution of rubber leaf fall disease in the swamplands of Barito Kuala district. Survey of disease incidence and severity was carried out using a stratified random sampling method. It was observed that eight sub-districts in Barito Kuala district and Banjar district had swamp land that planted rubber. At four locations/villages in each sub-district, sample plants were taken which were determined to be 25 plants diagonally. Parameters of disease incidence and disease severity followed the International Rubber Research Development Board. The results of the research revealed that rubber leaf fall disease has spread in four rubber-plantation sub-districts. All sub-districts surveyed were 100% affected by rubber leaf fall disease. In the studied district, the rubber leaf fall disease attack is quite severe with an average disease severity of 67%.