The first rubber plantation was started in Kerala. Rubber is made from the latex (juice) of the tree known as Hevea brasiliensis.
(a) Rubber can be propagated by either seeds or by the bud grafting method. Leguminous creepers are planted between the seedling trees to prevent soil erosion and enrich the soil with nitrogen.
(b) The tree takes 7-8 years to reach maturity. So cover crops are grown to provide additional income.
(c) Tapping is the process in which a cut is made at an angle of 30° to take out the latex. Trees are tapped early in the morning as rain is unlikely at this time of the day and latex flows more freely. A rubber tree yields latex for 25- 30 years.
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(d) The latex is taken to the factory where it is coagulated by adding acetic acid. The coagulum is passed through machines and different types of sheets are made.