RUBBER

Rubber /Para rubber (Heave brasilensis Muel-Arg)

Fam: Euphporbiaceae
Origin and distribution,
Origin: Amazon River basin of Southern America. This crop was introduced to South
Asia through Kew garden in the U.K in the late 1970’s. Now it is grown in tropical
regions of Asia, Africa and America.
Distribution of rubber
Total rubber production in the world (1996) is 63.20 lakh tonnes
India ranks fifth and fourth in total area and production of natural rubber. In
productivity
India ranks first in the world.
India:
Area : 5.33 lakh ha
Production : 5.44 lakh tonnes
India ranks first in the world with regards to the productivity of natural rubber i.e.,
1,503 kg per ha.
States: Kerala, Tamil Nadu Karnataka
These three states altogether accounts to 98 per cent of total produce of India.
Climate and soil
Climate:
Tropical climate = Tree of warm humid climate. Temperature: 21º to 35 º C
Altitude : upto 500 m asl
Sunshine : It is a sun-loving tree requiring 6 hours of sunshine per day throughout the
year. i.e., about 200 hours per year.
Rainfall: Not less than 200 cm.
Soil:
H
Depth: Minimum of 125 cm depth. Slope : A gentle slope is needed. P : 5.5 to 6.5,

Propagation:
Seed Propagation: For nursery planting seeds are germinated in shaded beds of friable
soils, sand or coir dust. Germinated seeds are transplanted into shaded nurseries at spacing
depending on the type of plant required. Seed germination will be completed in about 3
weeks. Seeds start germinating with in 6 - 10 days of sowing.
Clonal seeds: Sexual progeny of budded clones is known as clonal seed. Seed garden
progeny is probably a better name. As clonal seedlings are more variable than budded
rubber their average yield is less. It is desirable to select for vigor in the nursery and in the
field and later for yield in the early years of bearing. Legiti mate seeds may be produced
by hand pollination between selected clones.

Budding: Popular method of vegetative propagation in rubber is by bud grafting using

buds of selected mother trees. Nursery seedling can be bud grafted when they attain a
girth of a pencil above the collar. Budded stocks are ready to be stumped about 4 weeks
after budding. they are cut 10 - 15 cm above the bud patch and the stumps are pulled out
and transplanted in the main field. Green budding with buds stripped from green shoots
is also practiced.
Rubber is almost entirely propagated through bud grafting of modern high – yielding
clones. Bud grafting is done on the seedlings when they are 2 -8 months old using
green or brown dormant bud patch collected from selected scion clones.
Depending on the colour and age of the buds two types of budding are recognized.
1) Brown budding: Here bud wood is of about one year old. Brown buds are collected
from bud wood of one year old and grafted on to the seedlings that are of about 10 months
old. Stock plants: Vigorously growing 10 months of more aged plants having a girth of
about 7.5 cm at the base are ideal for budding.
Scion / bud wood: Buds from selected scion plants having about one year growth from
the axils of fallen leaves are generally used. Normally 1-2 m of bud wood can be
obtained from a bud wood shoot of one years growth from which about 20 buds can be
obtained.
2) Green budding: Here both stock plant and scion used for green budding are young.
Seedlings of 2 to 8 months old (with green stem) are used as stocks to graft green buds
collected from leaf axils of bud wood that is 6 to 8 weeks (1 ½ to 2 months old ).
Scion / bud wood = from bud shoots of 6 to 8 weeks growth. Stock plant = Vigourous
seedlings of about 2 to 8 months age.
Age of stock → Vigorous seedlings of 2 -to 8 month’s age with girth of about 2.5 cm
and Brown bark up to a height of about 15 cm
Scion → Green buds taken from bud shoots of 6 – 8 week growth i.e. buds seen in the axil
of scale leaves.
 Sl No. Particulars Brown budding Green budding
1. Age of stock > 10 months old 2 to 8 months old vigourous
seedlings
2 Maturity or age of One year 6 to 8 weeks
scion or bud wood.
3 Colour of bud wood Brown and buds are in Green and buds are in axils, when
axils of fallen leaves. leaves are still attached and
functional.

Classification of rubber clones: In rubber clones are broadly classified into three
categories based on the methods adopted for the development of mother trees.
1. Primary clones: When mother trees are selected from existing seedling populations
of unknown parentage and are multiplied vegetatively. Eg: Tjir –1(Tjirandji –1 of
Indonesia), G.T-1 (Godng Tapen of Indonesi) , G.I –1( Glenshiel-1 of Malaysia) and PB-
86.
2. Secondary clones: When the mother trees are evolved by cross pollination (hand
pollination) between two primary clones and are then multiplied vegetatively, they are
known as secondary clones.
Eg: 1) RRIM – 600 = TJIR –1 x PB – 86 and
2) PRIM - 628 = TJIR –1 x PRIM – 527
3. Tertiary clones : Are produced by controlled pollination of two existing clones, but
they differ from secondary clones in that at least one of parents or both the parents are of
secondary clones.
Eg: RRIM – 703 = RRIM – 600 x RRIM –500.
Most popular clone is RRIM 1105
Table: Clones developed by RRII for cultivation in South India
Sl. No Name Parents Important traits
A. Primary clones
1 TJIR –1 - Indonesian clone yield = 930 kg per ha per year
2 G.T –1 - Indonesian clone, Yield =1360 kg per ha per year
3 Gl-1 - Malaysian clone, Yield = 1130 kg per ha per year.
Drought tolerant
4 PB- 86 - Malaysian clone, Yield = 1130 kg per ha per
year.
 B Secondary clones
1 RRIM – 600 Tjir –1 x PB Developed by RRIM, Yield = 1317 kg/ha
– 86
2 RRIM – 628 TJIR – 1 x Yield = 1051 kg/ha/yr
RRIM –527
C Tertiary clones
1 RRIM – 703 RRIM- 600 x Yield = 1725 kg /ha/yr
RRIM –
500
Polyclonal see dlings in rubber

All desirable characters viz., high latex content, drought resistance etc may not be
available in a single clone. Hence, it may not be wise to adopt a single clone for
cultivation in large areas, because if disease or pest epidemic occurs the entire plantation
may be wiped out. Therefore to get the benefits of mixed clones in a population, poly
clonal seed gardens are being established by blending different clones. The hybrid RRII
–105, is the highest yielding in the world. It has become very popular, occupying 80 per
cent of the area under rubber. Its average yield is 2.400 kg /ha/year. Superior clones
numbering 3 to 6 are planted in an isolated area and allowed for natural open pollination.
F or prevention of pollen contamination from rubber trees of neighbouring area an
isolation belt of 100 m width is provided all around the seed plantation.
Polyclonal seed families generally give rise to seedlings of good vigour and growth. In
olden days monoclonal seeds of single selected mother clones such as Tjir –1, not
c ontaminated by crossing with seedling rubber or undesirable male parent clones had been
extensively used as improved plant materials.
Poly clonal seeds are easier to establish and maintain when compared to buddings. The
trunk of the seedlings are much larger than those of budded trees.

Table: Differences between polyclonal seeds and buddings of rubber;

Sl. No. Features Polyclonal seeds Buddings
1 Establishment and maintenance Easier Needs more care
2 Trunk size Larger Comparatively of less
diameter
3 Susceptibility to wind damage and Less More
diseases
4 General yield level Low (1200 to High ( 1200 to 1700 kg per ha
1300 kg /ha/year) per year)
General yield levels of polyclonal seedlings are much lower than selected modern clones
( buddings). However, selection based on initial vigour, high initial planting density in
the main field and subsequent judicious thinning of weaklings and poor yielders in a
phased manner is suggested to maintain the higher level of productivity.
Planting and after care
Preparation of land: All preparations should be finished before planting season i.e., June.
1) Clearing:
 New areas
 Old plantation: Old trees may be slaughter tapped.
2) Lining:
Flat/Slightly undulated areas: Square planting or rectangular planting is followed by
making lines in East – West direction to maximize sun light interception.
 Hilly areas with moderate ( 10 – 20 %) slope : Contour planting is suggested by
marking across the slope.
 In hilly areas with steep slopes ( > 20 % slope): Terracing is resorted.
Spacing/Planting distances
Sl .No. Situation/Planting Spacing (m) Plants per ha
method
1 Hilly areas 6.7 x 3.4 m 445
2 Flat areas- Square system 4.9 x 4.9 420
3 Triangular system 4.9 x 4.9 470
Pit size: It varies from 75 cm to 90 cm, depending on ;
► soil type = Hard soil go for wider pits
► Type of planting materials = Stumped buddings wider and larger pits, and in
germinated seeds go for smaller pits.
After care:
Manuring in rubber:
For rubber trees under tapping (Usually above 7 years of age)
Recommendation:
Apply 12: 6: 6 NPK grade mixture at the rate of 400 kg per ha per year in two splits i.e.,
► April – May and
► September – October is recommended.
P2O5 has to be applied to rubber in the form of rock phosphate.
Method of Application
Fertilisers should be applied in square or rectangular patches in between rows, each patch
serving four trees. Once the canopy of the plants closes, say, 5 to 6 years after planting,
light forking to incorporate the fertilisers into the top soil is necessary. In areas where the
legume ground cover is present or where the legume cover has died out leaving a thick
mulch, it is enough to broadcast the fertilisers between two rows of rubber trees. Deep
pocket placement of fertilisers and application too close to the base of the trees should be
avoided.
Cover cropping:
It is always suggested to maintain the ground cover in rubber plantation in view of
maintenance of soil as a permanent productive asset. Cover crops which can be grown
in rubber plantations are;
1) Pueraria phaseoloides : Features A popular cover crop in India
► 1)Vigourous twiner and creeper that can be propagated by seeds and cuttings,
► 2) Can stand strong sun
► 3) Smothers weeds
Seed rate: 3 to 4.50 kg per ha. Other cover crops includes
2) Calopogonium muconoides : A twiner and creeper and dies off during dry months.
3) Centrosema pubescens : Climber and can be grown in shade. However , it can not be
grown under wet conditions.

Mulching:
Bases of young rubber plants must be weeded cleanly to avoid weed competition.
 Mulching with  dry leaves,  Water weed (Salvinia spp),  Grass cuttings,  Cover
crop loppings etc
Around the plant is recommended to prevent soil degradation due to severe climatic
conditions.
Aquatic weed = Salvinia spp (African payal) is spreding as a menace in the water ways
2
and can be applied @ 5 kg per m as sun dried material. Season of mulching: After
monsoon i.e., November
Weed control in rubber: Until cover crops is established regular weeding is necessary.
About 4 to 5 rounds of hand weeding are required during first 2 years. Once the cover
crops are established or after the canopy has closed there is a little weed growth.
PLANT PROTECTION
(1) Abnormal leaf fall (Phytophthora palmivora) Infected leaves fall in large number
prematurely.
Control: Spray Bordeaux mixture (1%) as prophylactic measure, prior to the onset of
south west monsoon.
(2) Powdery mildew (Oidium haveae): Ashy coating noticed on tender leaves. Control:
Dusting sulphur @ 10 - 15 kg/ha. 3 to 6 times at 10 - 15 days intervals. Pests:
1) Scale insects (Saissetia nigra): Severely affected portion dry up and die due sucking
of
sap from leaf lets, petioles and tender shoot portions.
Control: Spray melathion at 0.05% concentration.
2) Mealy bug (Perrisiana virgata): Severely affected portion dry up and die. Damage is
similar to scale insects.
Control: Spray melathion at 0.05% concentration or fish oil or soap water ( Neem soap).
Non parasitic maladies:
Brown blast – Taping panel dryness (TPD)
Cause: A physiological disorder, mainly due to intensive tapping. High yielding clones
are more vulnerable.
Symptoms: Partial drying up of tapping cut (initial symptom) with the outer latex vessel
drying up first (No production of latex).
Light brown discoloration of the attacked portion (Hence TPD is also known as brown
bast) Tumors can be seen on the panel area.Drying up entirely and cessation of latex
flow.
Control:
1) Remove affected tissues and
2) Rest the trees without tapping from 3 to 12 months,
3) Low frequency tapping is also recommended and
4) Proper manuring

HARVESTING AND YIELD

Rubber trees attain tapping age at about 7 years.
Tapping: Latex is obtained from the bark of the rubber tree by tapping, tapping is the
process of controlled wounding during which thin shavings of the bark are removed to
induce the flow of latex. The number of latex vessels increases towards the cambium.
Tapping cuts extend to half the circumference of the tree (half spiral) and slope down to
the right.
Standard of Tappability and Height of Opening
Budded plants are regarded as tappable when they attain a girth of 50 cm at a height of
125 cm from the bud union. In seedlings, the first opening for tapping is recommended at
a height of 50 cm when the girth is 55 cm. If opening at a higher level is preferred, the
seedling trees can be opened at a height of 90 cm when the girth at that level is 50 cm. In
a budded tree. subsequent panels are also opened at the same height i.e., 125 cm. The
height specified for opening subsequent panels on a seedling tree is 100 cm.
It will be generally economic to begin tapping when 70 per cent of the trees in the
selected area attain the standard girth. In the traditional region it takes an average of
seven years to reach this state. Planting of advanced materials like polybag plants
reduce the immaturity period.
In India, the best period to open new areas for tapping is March-April. The trees that are
left behind during the season for want of sufficient girth may be considered for opening
in September.
Marking
Panels are marked on the trees selected for tapping, using a template and marking
knife, parallel to the contour terrace or planting line to facilitate efficient tapping
operation. The template is made of a strip of flexible metal, preferably GI sheet (of
low carbon content). The width of template will depend on tapping frequency. i.e. under
d/2 tapping 23 cm, d/3 - 17 cm d/4 - 15 cm and d/7 - 13 cm. Separate templates are
required for seedlings and buddings and should be made in such a way that when used
0 0
to mark, the slope of the cut should be 25 for seedlings and 30 for buddings.
After deciding the position of the panel, a vertical line, called front channel line, is
drawn. On this line, the opening height is marked. Since half spiral tapping is the
standard, the half circumference of the tree at the opening height is determined using a
measuring tape or string and marked on the back. Another vertical line, called back
channel line, is marked on the half spiral point above the opening height. With the aid
of the template placed between

these two lines, at the opening height, ensuring a high left to low right, the line for
tapping cut and a few guidelines are marked through the grooves. The vertical front end
of the template should be kept on the front channel of the tree, parallel to it and the free
end of the template is wound on the trunk towards the left side. After marking the
guidelines, spout and cup hanger are fixed. The marking should be repeated annually.

Slope and Direction of Tapping Cut

0
The tapping cut of the budded trees should have a slope of about 30 to the horizontal.
0
For seedling trees the cuts need to have a slope of only about 25 , since the bark is fairly
thick. A very steep cut leads to wastage of bark when tapping reaches the base of the tree
and too flat a cut leads to overflow of latex. The slope should be marked, preferably
annually, using appropriate template.
0
The latex vessels in the bark run at an angle of 3 -5 to the right and therefore a cut from
high left to low right will open greater number of latex vessels.
Tapping Depth, Bark Consumption and Bark Renewal

The best yield is obtained by tapping to a depth of less than one millimetre close to
the cambium since more latex vessels are concentrated near the cambium. Shallow tapping
results in considerable loss of crop. To obtain optimum yield, at the time of tapping
care should be taken not to injure the cambium. However, minor tapping wounds which
will heal in due course need not be considered as serious in the case of medium and
low yielding clones. To restart flow from a tapping cut in a subsequent tapping, all that is
needed is to cut a thin shaving of the bark along with which the plugs of coagulated
latex are also removed. Latex flow ceases when latex gets coagulated, clogging the cut
ends of the latex vessel s in turn with minute plugs of coagulated latex.
The rate of bark consumption will depend much on the skill of the tapper. For
obtaining optimum yield, it is preferable to consume about 20-23 cm of bark annually
on 1/2S d/2 system without rest period. However removing bark shaving thicker than
what is necessary does not increase the latex yield but only wastes the bark.
Bark regeneration is brought about by the activity of the cambium. The rate and extent
of renewal are dependent on the inherent genetic characters of the planting materials,
fertility of the soil, climatic conditions, tapping system and intensity, planting density, and
disease incidence.
Time of Tapping and Tapping Task
It is necessary to commence tapping early in the morning, since late tapping will reduce
the exudation of latex due to increased transpiration by the trees leading to lower turgor
pressure in latex vessels. Such reduction is more marked in the summer months. For pre -
dawn tapping, headlights are used.
The number of trees allotted to a tapper for a day’s tapping is known as tapping task.
Task size is fixed on the basis of stand of trees per ha and topography of land. Normal
tapping task in India varies from 300 to 400 trees. Task size is reduced when double cut
or other intensive systems are adopted.
Economical life: About 40 years
After the completion of economical life go for slaughter tapping.

Yield:
In south India the annual yield of rubber is about 375 kg per hector per annum
from the seedlings, whereas budded plantations yield 900 to 1000 kg of rubber per ha.
Average latex yield of 1000 to 2000 kg per ha (even some times it ranges from 850 kg
to 2500 kg)
Market rate: Rs 40 to 50 per kg.
Tapping and processing:
Latex is a milky white dispersion of rubber in water which is harvested by the process of
tapping.
Containers: Coconut shell, Polythene cups. These containers are generally used to collect
latex in Indian estates. Collected latex is later transferred to clean buckets two or three
hours after tapping.

Latex coagulum rubber / Field coagulum includes;

Normally 15 to 25 per cent of total crop constitutes tree lace ,shell scrap and earth
scrap which together is called as field coagulum rubber.
1) Tree lace: The latex which gets dried up on the tapping panel.
2) Shell scrap: The latex which dried up in the collection cups.
3) Earth scrap: The latex that is split and/ or overflowed on the ground (earth scrap)
which gets dried up. It is also collected once in a month or so.
Marketable forms of natural rubber includes; (Rubber forms processed for marketing)
 Sheet rubber: Prepared by addition of anticoagulants viz., Ammonia, Sodium
Sulphate and Formalin.
 Crepe rubber : When coagulum is passed through creeping machine,
 Latex Concentrates/ Preserved field latex : Obtained by centrifuge machine,
 Block Rubber/ Crumb rubber:
Anticoagulants: It is a chemical added to latex to prevent pre-coagulation before it is
processed. Eg: Ammonia, Sodium Sulfate, Formalin etc.

Systems of tapping
Rubber attains tapping stage at about 7 years of age during which period, required girth is
attained ( i.e., 55cm girth at 50 cm height) from ground.
Time of tapping: Early in the morning ( Late tapping will reduce latex flow)
Tapping task: Number of trees tapped in a day by one tapper. In India it is 300 trees
compared to 400 to 500 trees in other countries.

Sl. No. System of tapping Intensity Remarks

1 ½ S ½ d i.e ., s2 d2 100 per cent Recommended for
(half spiral cutting and tapping at alternate budded plants
days for 6 months and rest for 3 months)
2 ½ S 1/3 d i.e ., s2 d3 1/3 day = 67% Recommended for clonal
(half spiral cutting and tapping at every 3 days ½ cut seedlings
for 6 months and rest for 3 months)
3 ½ S d1 i.e ., s2 d1 1/1 day =200% Followed by small
(half spiral cutting and tapping daily for 6 growers and it results in
months and rest for 3 months) ½ cut early deterioration of
trees.

Tapping system depends on the

1) Intensity of cut and
2) Periodicity of tapping.
Slope of tapping panel to horizontal zone in tree:
a) Budded trees = slope down by 30 º
b) Seedling = 25º
Slaughter tapping in rubber: The term slaughter tapping is used to indicate all out bleeding
of rubber tree to obtain maximum yield without regard to health or longevity of trees. It
is done one or two years before replanting or replacing crop.
In old trees tapping is done by giving two or more half spiral cuts simultaneously i.e.,
1. one at the base level and other at
2. at least 120 –180 cm higher level on the opposite side.

Slaughter tapping is sometimes practiced even on branches with the help of ladders. Here
length, height and frequency of tapping are all increased.
Chemical methods of yield increase:
Chemical used: Ethrel (2, chloroethyl phosphonic acid) i.e., ethephon.
Ethrel stimulate and increase the yield of rubber latex flow at least by two folds. Ethrel
has to be diluted with coconut oil to have 10 per cent active ingredient. Judicious application
of dilute (1 to 5 % active ingredient) ethephon on the panel or on th e bark at prescribed
intervals and seasons enhances the yield.
Method of application: Bark application with a brush below the tapping cut to a width of
5 cm after light scrapping of outer bark.
Schedule of application:
1) After drought period, preferably a fter few premonsoon showers
2) Subsequent application during September
3) November
Latex can be processed into any of the following forms
1. Preserved field latex and latex concentrate
2. Sheet rubber
3. Block rubber
4. Crepe rubber
Field coagulum can be processed only into crepe rubber or block rubber.