Rubber board introduces 9 new resistant and productive varieties of rubber trees

Kottayam: The Rubber Board announced the development of nine new varieties of rubber trees. These varieties, created by researchers at the board, are resistant to diseases such as leaf falls and leaf spots and also promise higher productivity. They offer the benefits of providing good-quality timber and latex.

Of the nine new varieties, two are considered suitable for cultivation in the North Eastern states. The Rubber Board has decided to allocate 15 percent of plantation land for the cultivation of these saplings. The Scientific Advisory Committee of the board has approved the report submitted by scientists, affirming that the new varieties can be integrated into plantations in a controlled manner.

The Rubber Board plans to organise workshops to familiarise farmers with these new varieties. These saplings will be available for planting by the end of the year.

The new varieties, developed at the Puthupally Rubber Research Institute, will be introduced to farmers under the RRII 500 series. After a three-year period from planting, the trees will become beneficial. The widely cultivated rubber varieties include RRII 430, 414, 417, 422, and 105. Currently, a total of 108 varieties are being tested on an experimental basis in 48 plantations. Dr. MD Jessi, the In-Charge Director of RRII, and Dr. MB Muhammed Sadiq, Principal Scientist, Department of Botany said that the evaluation of the new varieties' effectiveness is being conducted.