Thailand’s rubber industry has relied on the same land for generations, but scientists have found that repeated planting may come at the expense of the surface. Rubber plantations in southern Thailand found that soil biodiversity declined as rubber was replanted through successive rotations, with the sharpest deterioration appearing in the third rotation. Because a typical rubber plantation lasts about 25 years, three rotations can represent roughly 75 years of continuous rubber production. The researchers found that the soil biodiversity quality index deteriorated after about 50 years, suggesting that prolonged monocropping can gradually weaken the biological health of the soil. The findings highlight the importance of monitoring plantation soils over long periods, particularly where rubber cultivation continues on the same land. Maintaining soil organisms and biological functions could become an important consideration for sustaining productivity and ecosystem health across future plantation rotations. This significant research underscores the urgent need for sustainable agricultural practices, suggesting that crop diversification strategies may prove essential for maintaining long-term soil health and productivity.
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