Skip to content
Technical Kisanखेती, तकनीक के साथ
ENहिं
Natural RubberAll seasonsBudded clone (primary clone)Updated 28 August 2026

GT 1

An old Indonesian (Gondang Tapen) primary clone — wind-tolerant, hardy and remarkably stable across sites; a mother clone in many pedigrees and widely planted in the north-east and on marginal sites.

SeasonAll seasons
Maturity periodPerennial — 6–8 years to first tapping, then tapped for ~25–30 years
Expected yieldMedium, very stable across sites
Suitable soilWide range of well-drained soils, including marginal and windy sites

Quick facts

Crop
Natural Rubber
Type
Budded clone (primary clone)
Season
All seasons
Maturity period
Perennial — 6–8 years to first tapping, then tapped for ~25–30 years
Seed rate
Not a seed crop — about 445 budded plants per hectare at normal spacing
Expected yield
Medium, very stable across sites
Suitable soil
Wide range of well-drained soils, including marginal and windy sites
Release
A primary clone from Indonesia (Gondang Tapen); long used internationally and in India for stability and hardiness

About this variety

GT 1 (Gondang Tapen 1) is an old Indonesian primary clone valued worldwide for stability rather than a top yield figure — it performs consistently across a wide range of sites and is notably wind-tolerant and hardy. It appears as a parent in many modern pedigrees and is widely planted in the north-east and on marginal or exposed sites where reliability matters more than squeezing out the highest yield.

Key characteristics

    Plant typeBudded clone (primary clone)
    MaturityPerennial — 6–8 years to first tapping, then tapped for ~25–30 years
    Yield potentialMedium, very stable across sites
    Disease resistanceHardy; notably wind-tolerant
    SoilWide range of well-drained soils, including marginal and windy sites
    SeasonAll seasons

Sowing & cultivation

  • Sowing timePlant with the first steady monsoon rains; in the north-east plant early in the monsoon so roots are set before winter
  • Seed rateNot a seed crop — about 445 budded plants per hectare at normal spacing
  • Spacing4.9 × 4.9 m (about 445 trees/ha); terrain-adjusted layouts in the hills
  • Sowing methodPlant into pre-dug pits with a cover crop; GT 1 tolerates marginal and exposed sites better than most clones
  • IrrigationRainfed in the traditional belt; immature-phase irrigation or mulching in dry non-traditional tracts
  • FertilizerStandard graduated immature NPK-Mg mixtures and a mature-rubber mixture after opening
  • HarvestingOpened at year 6–8 on girth; GT 1 responds well to a moderate tapping system and is less prone to panel dryness than the high-yield clones under hard tapping

Soil & climate

Soil

Suitable soil
A wide range of well-drained soils, including the marginal and windy sites where other clones struggle
pH
4.5–6.0

Climate

Climate
Its stability and wind tolerance make it a safe default on exposed ridges, coastal edges and the variable conditions of the north-east

Yield & maturity

Maturity period

Perennial — 6–8 years to first tapping, then tapped for ~25–30 years

Expected yield

Medium, very stable across sites

Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.

Pest & disease considerations

Major diseases

Management notes

  • A good choice where a full disease-management programme cannot be guaranteed, thanks to its hardiness
  • Use a moderate tapping system — GT 1 does not need hard tapping to perform

Advantages & considerations

Why farmers may choose it

  • Remarkably stable yield across sites and seasons
  • Wind-tolerant and hardy — suits exposed and marginal land and the north-east
  • Less prone to tapping panel dryness than the high-yield clones

Things to consider

  • Peak yield is below the RRII 105 and RRII 400-series clones on good traditional-belt land
  • Chosen for reliability, not maximum output — a top-management Kerala estate will out-yield it with a modern clone

Suitable regions

Wind-prone and marginal sites and north-eastern planting, chosen for reliability rather than top yield

  • Tripura
  • Assam
  • Meghalaya
  • Kerala
  • Nagaland
  • Mizoram

Frequently asked questions

Why is GT 1 still planted when higher-yielding clones exist?

Because it is dependable. GT 1 gives a stable, medium yield across a very wide range of sites and seasons, tolerates wind and marginal soils, and is less prone to tapping panel dryness. On exposed ridges, marginal land or in the variable north-east, that reliability is worth more than the extra yield of a clone that needs perfect conditions and a full spray programme.

Sourced from: Rubber Board / Rubber Research Institute of India, Rubber Board — clone recommendations. editorial policy.