The Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII), a unit of the government's Rubber Board, is conducting field trials for at least six drought resistant clones of rubber trees in Maharashtra and Orissa. Untimely heavy rainfall interspersed with long dry spells has forced research institutes to look at developing new varieties that can adapt to changing weather patterns, say scientists.

The rubber institute, which in 1980 released the widely planted rubber clone called RRII-105 that made India the global leader in productivity with a yield of 1,879kg per ha a year, is now undertaking field trials of six drought-resistant clones.

"Among the RRII-400 series released since 2005, the RRII-430 is slightly drought-tolerant", said James Jacob, Director of the Rubber institute. However, he declined to say when the new drought resistant clones would be released since field trials are still ongoing.