Technology builds green rubber: [1] Good varieties drive breakthroughs in latex productivity

From seed selection and production mechanization to processing and digital transformation, Dong Nai Rubber Corporation has applied comprehensive technology, creating a green journey and elevating its brand in the international market. For many years, the corporation has both supplied raw materials and pioneered in applying scientific advances, particularly in seed selection and breeding, to enhance productivity, quality, and the brand value of Vietnamese rubber.

Standardizing seedling quality

At the seedling nursery of Dong Nai Rubber Corporation, each row of trees is carefully tended from the earliest stages. According to Mr. Nguyen Kim Canh, who manages the nursery, it currently has an area of 34 ha and propagates varieties such as RRIV 209, RRIV 106, RRIV 119, RRIV 115, and VM 515. All of these varieties are recommended by the Vietnam Rubber Group, having undergone thorough trials and demonstrating stable yields of 2.5–3 tons of dry latex/ha/year. Particularly, they are well-suited to the red basaltic soils of Dong Nai province.

The propagation process is also strictly standardized. The process from the seeding stage to budding takes about 10 months. Seeds are meticulously selected and soaked thoroughly in water before being planted in the pot. Once the seedlings reach the required standards, technicians graft buds from verified clonal lines, prune the tops to encourage sprouting, and transplant the seedlings when they have developed 1–2 leaf layers. Rootstocks must have a minimum diameter of 12 mm, and graft buds are selected for their health, glossy brown color, and vigorous growth.

Mr. Nguyen Kim Canh shared, "Each year, the nursery supplies seedlings for around 1,200 hectares of new plantations at a density of 595 trees/ha. Every step requires caution, from seed soaking to caring for young plants, because even a small mistake can affect an entire batch of seedlings."

The nursery currently employs 89 formal laborers, including 44 workers and 4 direct technicians. Tasks are assigned according to the production season: female workers handle lighter jobs, while male workers are responsible for spraying, grass-cutting, and operating machinery. The current trend is to build a versatile workforce capable of performing multiple tasks from propagation to plant care.

The nursery has now invested in a water-saving irrigation system that delivers water directly to the tree roots, helping save labor and improve care efficiency. In addition, drones are used to spray pesticides, which is fast, uniform, and capable of treating large areas in a short time.

Good varieties, healthy trees, sustainable gardens

According to Mr. Phan Quang Ba, Deputy General Director and Head of the Technical Department of Dong Nai Rubber Corporation, the average latex productivity used to be only 1.5–1.7 tons of dry latex/ha/year. Thanks to new varieties and synchronous technical processes, many gardens now reach or exceed 2 tons/ha/year, with some achieving even higher results. “This is a breakthrough figure, demonstrating that systematic investment in science and technology has brought remarkable efficiency,” Mr. Ba affirmed.

Rubber varieties such as RRIV 209, RRIV 114, and RRIV 1, which have been widely planted in Dong Nai in recent years, have demonstrated outstanding performance. These varieties were developed by the Rubber Research Institute of Vietnam, with the advantages of rapid growth, resistance to pests and diseases, good adaptability to climate change, and stable, long-term latex productivity. Mr. Phan Quang Ba emphasized, "Good varieties help reduce care costs and extend the lifespan of the garden. Healthy trees with fewer diseases bring more sustainable economic efficiency for both enterprises and workers."

Propagation through budding is considered the decisive step in determining the quality of gardens. Each rootstock and graft bud is carefully selected and closely monitored to ensure uniformity, thereby reducing risks during the new planting process, increasing survival rates, and enhancing tree growth.

At the same time, the corporation regularly organizes training sessions for workers and technicians. "Good varieties are only the starting point. Proper management and care techniques are even more important, so we focus on knowledge transfer to empower every worker to become a skilled technician right in the garden," stated Mr. Ba.

According to Dr. Tran Dinh Minh, Deputy Director of the Rubber Research Institute of Vietnam, the shift toward new rubber varieties is an inevitable trend. Varieties such as RRIV 209 and RRIV 114 not only deliver high yields but also adapt well to climate change. This is the key for Vietnam’s rubber industry to maintain sustainable competitiveness.

Dr. Minh emphasized that once varieties and techniques are standardized, the entire rubber value chain will be enhanced. Standardization not only boosts productivity but also generates high-quality raw materials that meet the strict requirements of international markets, particularly the EU and the U.S.

A strategic step from research and breeding of new varieties to propagation and care has laid a solid foundation for Dong Nai's rubber industry. This is not only an immediate solution for increasing productivity but also a long-term investment in building a sustainable rubber brand. With the support of science and technology, along with a determination for innovation in both management and production, Dong Nai Rubber is asserting its pioneering position and contributing to the deeper global integration and enhanced value of Vietnam's rubber industry.