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

PB 260

A Malaysian Prang Besar clone (PB 5/51 × PB 49) grown internationally for early, high yield and quick immature growth; used in India in both traditional and non-traditional areas.

SeasonAll seasons
Maturity periodPerennial — early tapping, then tapped for ~25–30 years
Expected yieldHigh and early
Suitable soilDeep, well-drained laterite / lateritic loam

Quick facts

Crop
Natural Rubber
Type
Budded clone
Season
All seasons
Maturity period
Perennial — early tapping, 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 and early
Suitable soil
Deep, well-drained laterite / lateritic loam
Release
A Malaysian Prang Besar clone; used in India in traditional and non-traditional areas

About this variety

PB 260 is a Malaysian Prang Besar clone from the cross PB 5/51 × PB 49, grown widely around the world for early, high yield and fast immature growth. In India it is planted in both traditional and non-traditional areas. It has some susceptibility to wind damage and to tapping panel dryness under hard or over-stimulated tapping, so it rewards a disciplined tapping system.

Key characteristics

    Plant typeBudded clone
    MaturityPerennial — early tapping, then tapped for ~25–30 years
    Yield potentialHigh and early
    Disease resistanceModerate; watch tapping panel dryness under hard tapping and wind damage
    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; shelter belts on wind-exposed sites
  • IrrigationRainfed in the traditional belt; immature-phase irrigation in dry non-traditional tracts
  • FertilizerStandard graduated immature NPK-Mg mixtures and a mature-rubber mixture after opening
  • HarvestingFast immature growth brings early opening; use a moderate tapping frequency and controlled stimulation, since PB 260 is prone to panel dryness under hard tapping

Soil & climate

Soil

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

Climate

Climate
Performs across a range of conditions; on wind-exposed sites its wind susceptibility calls for shelter or a firmer-crowned clone

Yield & maturity

Maturity period

Perennial — early tapping, then tapped for ~25–30 years

Expected yield

High and early

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

Pest & disease considerations

Major diseases

Management notes

  • Keep to a moderate tapping frequency and controlled stimulation to avoid panel dryness
  • Shelter or avoid the most wind-exposed positions

Advantages & considerations

Why farmers may choose it

  • Early, high yield and quick immature growth
  • Widely proven internationally
  • Suits growers who want an early return with disciplined tapping

Things to consider

  • Prone to tapping panel dryness if over-tapped or over-stimulated
  • Some susceptibility to wind damage — needs shelter on exposed sites

Suitable regions

Traditional and non-traditional areas, for growers wanting early yield with disciplined tapping

  • Kerala
  • Tripura
  • Assam
  • Karnataka

Frequently asked questions

What is the main risk with PB 260?

Tapping panel dryness. PB 260 gives a high, early yield, but it is prone to panel dryness if it is tapped too frequently or stimulated too heavily to push yield further. Sticking to a moderate, recommended tapping and stimulation system protects the trees. It also has some susceptibility to wind damage on exposed sites.

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