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

RRIM 600

A classic Malaysian Rubber Research Institute clone (Tjir 1 × PB 86), one of the most widely planted clones in the world historically — moderate but very dependable yield, good secondary characters, still common in the north-east and older Indian estates.

SeasonAll seasons
Maturity periodPerennial — 6–8 years to first tapping, then tapped for ~25–30 years
Expected yieldMedium, very dependable
Suitable soilWide range of well-drained soils, including north-eastern hill soils

Quick facts

Crop
Natural Rubber
Type
Budded 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 dependable
Suitable soil
Wide range of well-drained soils, including north-eastern hill soils
Release
A Malaysian Rubber Research Institute clone; long planted in the non-traditional Indian tracts and older estates

About this variety

RRIM 600 is a classic Malaysian Rubber Research Institute clone from the cross Tjir 1 × PB 86, and historically one of the most widely planted rubber clones in the world. It gives a moderate but very dependable yield with good secondary characters (bark, latex flow, wind tolerance), and remains common in the north-east and on older Indian estates where its consistency is valued.

Key characteristics

    Plant typeBudded clone
    MaturityPerennial — 6–8 years to first tapping, then tapped for ~25–30 years
    Yield potentialMedium, very dependable
    Disease resistanceModerate; wind-tolerant
    SoilWide range of well-drained soils, including north-eastern hill soils
    SeasonAll seasons

Sowing & cultivation

  • Sowing timePlant with the first steady monsoon rains; early in the monsoon in the north-east
  • 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 in the hills
  • Sowing methodPlant into pre-dug pits with a cover crop; suits both estate and smallholder planting
  • 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; responds well to a moderate tapping system and holds a steady yield through the rotation

Soil & climate

Soil

Suitable soil
A wide range of well-drained soils, including north-eastern hill and foothill soils
pH
4.5–6.0

Climate

Climate
Its consistency and wind tolerance make it a safe choice on the variable conditions of the north-east and on older estate land

Yield & maturity

Maturity period

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

Expected yield

Medium, very dependable

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

Pest & disease considerations

Major diseases

Management notes

  • A dependable default where top yield is not the priority — good for smallholders and older replanted blocks
  • Prophylactic abnormal-leaf-fall spray where local monsoon pressure warrants it

Advantages & considerations

Why farmers may choose it

  • Very dependable, consistent yield over a full rotation
  • Good secondary characters — bark, latex flow, wind tolerance
  • Widely proven; long field record in India and worldwide

Things to consider

  • Peak yield is below the modern RRII 400-series and PB 260 clones on good land
  • An older clone — for a high-input traditional-belt estate a modern clone will out-yield it

Suitable regions

Dependable yield on non-traditional and older estate land

  • Tripura
  • Assam
  • Meghalaya
  • Kerala
  • Nagaland

Frequently asked questions

Is RRIM 600 still a good clone to plant?

For a smallholder or a non-traditional tract where consistency matters more than maximum yield, yes — RRIM 600 gives a dependable, steady yield with good bark and latex flow and reasonable wind tolerance, backed by a very long field record. On good traditional-belt land with high inputs, a modern RRII 400-series clone will out-yield it.

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