Highlights of the research findings in this issue are:

• Based on the analysis of genotypic variability existing in the genetic resource of Hevea species available in India, the theoretical yield ceiling in this crop is estimated to be in the range of 8-9 kg tree-1year-1
• Changes in tariff policy as per various Regional Trade Agreements did not result in growth of import of natural rubberr
• In vitro screening of callus against the pathotoxin and detached leaf technique using crude culture filtrate can be employed as effective early screening tools to identify clones tolerant to Corynespora leaf fall disease
• Pipeline clones exhibiting drought tolerance traits identified for further hotspot screening
• Judicious use of fertilizers in combination with FYM achieved desired growth and early tappability in North-East India
• Incorporation of lime improved the rhizosphere pH and availability of nutrients and growth of young rubber plants grown in extremely acidic soil
• In general, rubber growing soils of Karnataka are highly acidic in reaction, high in organic carbon content and deficient in available P, S, K, Zn and B
• Liquid isoprene rubber (LIR50) can replace aromatic oils as a safe and reactive plasticiser in NR based compounds
• Rheological characterization and modelling of vulcanization kinetics of EPDM rubber