Abstract
Yield components like total volume and dry rubber content (DRC) of latex were analyzed in summer and peak yielding seasons in the renewed bark to assess the performance of RRII 400 series clones. Significant variations were observed among the clones under evaluation with regard to the parameters. RRII 414 and RRII 430 showed the highest total latex volume as well as dry rubber yield both in summer and peak yielding seasons when tapped in the renewed bark. Total latex volume was less irrespective of the clone during summer compared to peak season. Clones responded differently to summer stress. The drop in total latex volume during summer ranged from 39.5 to 64 per cent and 36.6 to 60.9 per cent in LST I and LST II, respectively. The highest drop in summer latex volume was recorded in clone RRII 430. When virgin and renewed panels were compared, the total volume of latex was less in renewed panel compared to virgin panel in both the LST's barring very few exceptions. Status of clones with regard to latex volume, DRC and dry rubber yield in virgin panel (BO-1) and renewed panel (BI-1) were comparable in majority of the clones. The present study proved the superiority of RRII 430, RRII 417 and RRII 414 in the long run as well.
NSTL