Para-rubber is perennial plant known as important economic crop of Thailand. From the year 1991, Thailand is the biggest country for para-rubber production and export in the world. The exported product is 1.6 million ton and its value is 41,352 million baht. So, para-rubber is the important economic crop which makes most money to Thailand. 

       In the year 1899 - 1901, Praya Ratchadanupradit (Coresimbee) Na Ranong brought para-rubber from Perak, Malaysia to plant in Maeung District, Chanthaburi. It was the first time that para-rubber had been distributed to the East. Since the weather and some soil series in the East are like that in the South, para-rubber can be grown. The problem is that milky juice got from para-rubber planting in the East is not in high level. It shows that soil properties have an influence on para-rubber growth and production. Mr. Bamrung Sabmak, Land Development Department, had studied on soil properties which are control factors of para-rubber production. Its propose is to get useful information for future planning of effective soil management.

      From the study of soil series for para-rubber planting in the East, there are five soil series which are Phangnga series, Trat series, Chumporn series, Klongsak series and Ranong series covering 57,298 rai. From soil analysis to classify soils suitable for growing para-rubber, various factors like soil depth, plant nutrients, soil fertility and amount of pebbles in soil are considered. The result is that "Trat series are the most suitable series for para-rubber planting" because its soil is rather deep. Its top soil is sandy loam and its below soil is sandy clayey loam. Its fertility is in middle level.

  So, Para-rubber can be planted in the East. Farmers should plant it in suitable soil series and environment. Soil properties essential for Para-rubber groeth are :
               - The depth of soil is at least 1 m.
               - Soil fertility is in middle-level.
               - There are little amount of pebbles in soil texture and there is no stone layer to prerent Para-rubber 's root growth.Soil series not suitable for Para-rubber planting are :
               - Shallow soil.
               - Stone layer with 50 cm. depth is found.
               - Soil fertility is in low-level.
               - Soil is too steep and easy to be eroded.

               For the area consisted of soil like above, Land Development Department suggestion is to plant leguminous crops or cover cropping including planting vetiver grass across the slope and planting tree like durian, mangosteen and rambutan to get high production. So, farmers should check soil properties before planting para-rubber in order to get high quality of para-rubber production and high income.

If you would like to check soil series from the soil map of Land Development Department, contact Land Development station near your hometown or Soil Survey and Classification Division, Land
Development Department. Tel.:(02)579-0111#1254 E-mail : ssd_1@ldd.go.th