Economic importance of rubber?
Propagation of this tree crop is by vegetative reproduction with clones, resulting in early development and establishment in plantations of genetically superior genotypes, in productivity, quality of latex, resistance to the pest and diseases, among other interesting traits. Bud grafting is the method traditionally used for the production of grafted-seedlings and depending on the physiologic age of the tissue, is either called green or brown grafting. Several types of grafted-seedlings are produced and one of these uses bare roots, commonly practiced by rubber tree growers. Another form, more advanced compared to bare root seedlings, is the use of budded-stumps, usually recommended for reconstitution of stands in areas already established or for replacement of spindly plants. This type of seedling, having a minimum height of 2.50 m of mature brown stem, lends itself to be explored as live fence stakes in pasture areas, with the advantage of an economic and durable alternative, also in
