Influence of Axillary Bud Types on the Branching Angle of New Shoots and the Growth Quality of Bud Sticks in Rubber Tree ‘Reken 628’

DOI: 10.22161/ijeab.111.14

Abstract:
To investigate how axillary bud type regulates shoot branching angle and bud stick quality in rubber trees, this study used ‘Reken 628’ budded seedlings (rootstock: GT1). Decapitation was performed during the top leaf whorl sprouting stage at two positions: between the second and top whorls, and 1 cm below the lowest leaf of the second whorl, creating petiole bud and scale bud treatments. Phenological development and morphological indices—plant height, stem diameter, branching angle, leaf dimensions, N content, and surface temperature—were measured through three leaf whorl stages. At the first whorl, scale buds produced significantly wider leaves at the small bronze and color-changing stages, with longer phenological duration, while petiole buds had larger branching angles. By the second whorl, scale bud shoots showed superior plant height, stem diameter, leaf size, and surface temperature, but lower leaf N and larger branching angles. At the third whorl, scale bud branching angle was 88.44% higher than petiole buds, and leaf surface temperature was 1.02% higher. Correlation analysis indicated stronger growth synergy in scale buds, while petiole buds showed tighter links between branching angle and leaf traits. In conclusion, axillary bud type influences branching angle and bud stick quality by modulating growth traits and their correlations, offering a theoretical basis for optimizing rubber tree seedling cultivation and plant architecture.

Keywords:
Hevea brasiliensis; axillary bud type; branching angle; new shoot growth; morphological indices

Article Info:
Received: 18 Jan 2026; Received in revised form: 17 Feb 2026; Accepted: 21 Feb 2025; Available online: 28 Feb 2026

Cite this Article: