ABSTRACT
Synthetic rubber accounts for approximately 57% of the total, but natural rubber is cheaper and of superior quality for high-stress purposes. In the early 1950s, in attempt to secure economic development, China invested heavily in research on growing rubber in environments perceived to be marginal in terms of cooler temperatures and having a distinct dry season. Distribution of rubber plantations are largely affected by the geographical constrains, because of its meteorological dependency in growth, specifically on average temperature and rainfall of the region. The South America originated tree known as rubber tree or para rubber tree under Euphorbiaceae family is well known for its milky sap or latex. Traditional and non-traditional are two rubber dominating regions divided upon the agro-climatic conditions of the country. Traditionally rubber trees are growing in the hinterlands of southwest coast, Kanyakumari of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
