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Technical Kisanखेती, तकनीक के साथ
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Natural RubberAll seasonsBudded cloneUpdated 28 August 2026

PB 217

A Malaysian Prang Besar clone known for a strong yield response later in life and to stimulation, with a sturdy trunk; slower to start than PB 260 but long-lived and productive.

SeasonAll seasons
Maturity periodPerennial — slower to start than PB 260, then tapped for ~25–30 years
Expected yieldHigh, builds with age and responds to stimulation
Suitable soilDeep, well-drained laterite / lateritic loam

Quick facts

Crop
Natural Rubber
Type
Budded clone
Season
All seasons
Maturity period
Perennial — slower to start than PB 260, then tapped for ~25–30 years
Seed rate
Not a seed crop — about 445 budded plants per hectare at 4.9 × 4.9 m spacing
Expected yield
High, builds with age and responds to stimulation
Suitable soil
Deep, well-drained laterite / lateritic loam
Release
A Malaysian Prang Besar clone; grown in the traditional Indian rubber belt

About this variety

PB 217 is a Malaysian Prang Besar clone with a sturdy trunk and a yield pattern that builds through the tapping years and responds strongly to stimulation. It is slower to come into tapping than PB 260 but is long-lived and productive, suiting a long-rotation estate that manages its yield curve with controlled stimulation.

Key characteristics

    Plant typeBudded clone
    MaturityPerennial — slower to start than PB 260, then tapped for ~25–30 years
    Yield potentialHigh, builds with age and responds to stimulation
    Disease resistanceModerate general tolerance
    SoilDeep, well-drained laterite / lateritic loam
    SeasonAll seasons

Sowing & cultivation

  • Sowing timeField-plant with the first steady monsoon rains, roughly June–July
  • Seed rateNot a seed crop — about 445 budded plants per hectare at 4.9 × 4.9 m spacing
  • Spacing4.9 × 4.9 m (about 445 trees/ha)
  • Sowing methodPlant into pre-dug pits on a contour layout with a leguminous cover crop
  • IrrigationRainfed in the traditional belt
  • FertilizerStandard graduated immature NPK-Mg mixtures and a mature-rubber mixture after opening
  • HarvestingSlower to reach tappable girth than PB 260; yield then builds through the tapping years and responds well to a planned stimulation programme

Soil & climate

Soil

Suitable soil
Deep, well-drained lateritic soils
pH
4.5–6.0

Climate

Climate
Suited to the traditional high-rainfall belt; its sturdy trunk stands up reasonably well to wind

Yield & maturity

Maturity period

Perennial — slower to start than PB 260, then tapped for ~25–30 years

Expected yield

High, builds with age and responds to stimulation

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

Pest & disease considerations

Major diseases

Management notes

  • Plan the stimulation programme deliberately — PB 217's yield curve is built to be managed with stimulation over the rotation
  • Prophylactic abnormal-leaf-fall spray before the monsoon

Advantages & considerations

Why farmers may choose it

  • Yield builds through the tapping years and responds strongly to stimulation
  • Sturdy trunk, reasonable wind tolerance
  • Long-lived and productive over a full rotation

Things to consider

  • Slower to come into tapping than PB 260 or the RRII 400-series clones — a later first return
  • Getting the best out of it depends on running a planned stimulation programme

Suitable regions

Long-rotation traditional-belt estates managing yield with stimulation

  • Kerala
  • Tamil Nadu

Frequently asked questions

How does PB 217 compare with PB 260?

PB 260 grows fast and yields high and early, but is prone to tapping panel dryness under hard tapping. PB 217 is slower to start, so the first return comes later, but its yield builds steadily through the rotation and responds well to a planned stimulation programme, with a sturdier trunk. The choice depends on whether you want an early return or a longer, steadier yield curve.

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