URL 1, URL 2). Although natural rubber is found in at least 2,500 plant varieties, most of these are unsuitable for the large-scale production of good quality rubber. Russian dandelion (Taraxacum kok-saghyz) proofed to be a suitable replacement for natural rubber in the production of high-quality rubber products such as tyres. Natural rubber is an indispensible ingredient in tens of thousands of applications, from car and aircraft tyres to medical equipment. Another rare dandelion that we’ve taken under our wing. Russia. Awardees for 2021 include Continental, whose Urban Taraxagum bicycle … To facilitate future germplas … In the 1930’s, Russia produced ~30% of their domestic rubber from 67,000 hectares of this plant. Ford got involved after a local Ford car dealer near OSU, who knew about the company's other bio-materials work, heard about the project and wrote to Executive Chairman Bill Ford about it, she said. Taraxacum kok-saghyz can be differentiated from the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) by its generally smaller, grayish green leaves and hornlike structures on the bracts surrounding the bud. OSU's research on making rubber from the Russian dandelion was a continuation of work done by a Russian university, Milewski said. Natural rubber and the Russian dandelion genome Brandon S. Gaut. EMBED (for wordpress.com hosted blogs and archive.org item tags) Want more? [4], "Taraxacum kok-saghyz (rubber dandelion) genomic microsatellite loci reveal modest genetic diversity and cross-amplify broadly to related species", "Guayule and Russian Dandelion as Alternative Sources of Natural Rubber", "Dandelions Ruin Your Front Yard but Could Be the Future of the Rubber Industry", "Blow out: The tyres of the future may be made from dandelions", "Continental launches bike tyre made from sustainable dandelion rubber", "Polyphenoloxidase Silencing Affects Latex Coagulation in Taraxacum Species", "Changes in the Carbohydrate Metabolism of Taraxacum Kok-Saghyz Rod During the First and Second Years of Growth", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Taraxacum_kok-saghyz&oldid=968004576, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2014, Articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases from December 2019, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 16 July 2020, at 16:46. Although natural rubber is found in at least 2,500 plant varieties, most of these are unsuitable for the large-scale production of good quality rubber. Russian dandelion rubber is chemically suited for use in tires and as latex for gloves, making it an ideal replacement for rubber tree products, says Wolyn. Continental isn’t using just any old dandelion but a specific Russian species. Unlike other rubber-bearing plants, this dandelion species also contains inulin, a food additive … Dandelion Rubber from Continental Nominated as One of the Top 3 Projects at the GreenTec Awards 2014. Russian dandelion is a close relative of our native dandelion. [8][10][2], Inulin produced by T. kok-saghyz is a sugar that could be used in non-food applications or be turned into bioethanol through fermentation. Most natural rubber comes from rubber trees in Southeast Asia, but this source is now under threat from a fungus. Share Facebook Twitter Can Dandelions Bounce Back? The Russian dandelion Taraxacum kok-saghyz Rodin (TKS), a member of the Composite family and a potential alternative source of natural rubber (NR) and inulin, is an ideal model system for studying rubber biosynthesis. The Soviet Union cultivated Taraxacum kok-saghyz, together with Taraxacum hybernum [ru] and Scorzonera tau-saghyz, on a large scale between 1931 and 1950—notably during World War II—as an emergency source of rubber when supplies of rubber from Hevea brasiliensis in Southeast Asia were threatened. kok-saghyz. The discovery of Russian dandelion. Indigenous to the high plateau of south-east Kazakhstan, and the adjacent areas of China and Kyrgyzstan, the Russian dandelion produces a high quality of natural rubber … The German Sustainability Award project is hailed as “Europe’s premier award for environmental and social engagement.” Held annually since 2008 and oriented towards the goals of Agenda 2030, the multi-stakeholder, government-supported awards honour those working towards a more sustainable future. Natural rubber is produced from plants and is classified as a polymerA chemical compound with large molecules made of many smaller molecules of the same kind. Taraxacum kok-saghyz is usually in flower from May through June, with seeds ripening from June through July. It enriches in its roots a whitish, sticky, rubbery milky sap, the so-called latex. The Russian dandelion, Taraxacum kok-saghyz (TKS), is a perennial species native to Central Asia that produces high quality, natural rubber. [9], Researchers have started to develop Taraxacum kok-saghyz cultivars which are easier to cultivate and which produce more and better rubber as part of a large research project at many institutions. [7], It is a diploid species that reproduces sexually,[2] and produces good pollen. Close Relatives: Common dandelion Uses and Markets: The root of the Russian dandelion is a source of a high quality latex, used in making rubber, that is comparable to the latex produced by the Hevea brasiliensis rubber tree. Flowers are hermaphroditic. I expressly agree to receive the newsletter and know that I can easily unsubscribe at any time. The Urban Taraxagum bicycle tire, available on the market since 2019, is the first serial product made of dandelion rubber that combines local production with minimal transport distances in … Now, dandelion rubber proponents say long-term concerns about prices , sustainability and labor availability are strong enough to develop dandelion rubber seriously. A previous project, EU-PEARLS, showed that the Russian dandelion, or Taraxacum koksaghyz, is a viable option. However, synthetic rubber is mainly manufactured from petroleum, a non-renewable energy source. Russian dandelion . to palm-oil plantations in order to produce biofuel, and labor costs reduce the profitability of Hevea brasiliensis plantations, as each tree must be manually tapped in order to harvest its latex. This new project, as well as the Guayule project, is being undertaken by Bridgestone Americas in … Using its proprietary selection techniques, KeyGene develops high performing varieties of rubber dandelion: from a small weed to a real crop. Nearly all this rubber currently has its origins in rubber tree plantations in Asia. To date several European tire manufacturers produced durable tires from dandelion rubber as proof of this concept (e.g. [W Gordon Whaley; John Stevenson Bowen] -- This publication is a summary of the investigations conducted between early summer 1942 and June 1944, when the attempt at large scale experimental production of kok-saghyz was terminated. Attention on T. kok-saghyz has revived due to allergic reactions to Hevea rubber used in medical devices, and to shortcomings in the supply of rubber from Hevea brasiliensis. It also grows in temperate climates and is thus able to expand natural rubber production to our regions. This is the only dandelion that can be used as an alternative source for natural rubber production. More frequent updates are provided on the following pages: Please send me the ecSeq newsletter. Fraunhofer researchers have established the basis for the large-scale production of high quality rubber with Russian dandelion. [5], Taraxacum kok-saghyz is a perennial plant with a yellow composite flower characteristic of the genus Taraxacum. It enriches in its roots a whitish, sticky, rubbery milky sap, the so-called latex. [2][4], Kok-saghyz is derived from the Kazakh kök-sağız (көк-сағыз), with kök meaning green and saghyz meaning rubber or gum. TKS can be A species of dandelion, commonly known as the Russian dandelion, is known for its ability to produce rubber. Abstract. 27, No. Russian Dandelion and Guayule have almost identical qualities compared to natural rubber harvested from the Hevea tree, which is currently the primary source for the natural rubber used in tires. A previous project, EU-PEARLS, showed that the Russian dandelion, or Taraxacum koksaghyz, is a viable option. RESEARCHERS AT OARDC HAVE COME UP WITH A WAY TO USE DANDELIONS TO MAKE RUBBER. Rubber Root, alternately known as Russian or Kazakh Dandelion (Taraxacum kok-saghyz) is a perennial dandelion with origins in the Kazakhstan / Uzbekistan regions.The plants are smaller than Taraxacum officinale and Taraxacum albidum (two other varieties we offer in our catalog), with thicker and a paler greens. The other good option for rubber, Russian or Kazak dandelion (Taraxacum koksaghyz), is a fast-growing plant with a high-quality rubber that was discovered in 1931 in Kazakhstan . Local raw material extraction avoids long transport routes, reduces CO 2 emissions and conserves valuable resources. Read More. Since dandelions are only of limited use as a wild plant for agricultural production, plant breeders clarify the physiology of rubber synthesis and develop suitable varieties for successful industrialization. It enriches in its roots a whitish, sticky, rubbery milky sap, the so-called latex. During this time period, the highest yields achieved by the U.S. reached 110 kg of rubber per hectare, while the USSR achieved yields of 200 kg of rubber per hectare. Most natural rubber comes from rubber trees in Southeast Asia, but this source is now under threat from a fungus. Nearly all this rubber currently has its origins in rubber tree plantations in Asia. The use of Russian dandelions to produce rubber could soon become very important. 4, pp. Seiple said that a truck tire made with 1.5 pounds of rubber from Uzbekistan had … Approximately 40,000 products of everyday life contain natural rubber . The cultivation of dandelion also offers the opportunity to increase the diversity of cultivation on domestic fields. Continental isn’t using just any old dandelion but a specific Russian species. Another rare dandelion that we’ve taken under our wing. Synthetic rubber is used in the production of countless products, making it an important global resource. When compared to natural rubber, Russian Dandelion has a much greater geographical distribution. Russian dandelion (kok-saghyz) : an emergency source of natural rubber Item Preview remove-circle Share or Embed This Item. T. kok-saghyz was discovered in Kazakhstan in 1932 by the Soviet Union in an effort to find a domestic source of rubber. (2007). The United States, the UK, Germany, Sweden and Spain also cultivated the plant for the same reason. The Russian dandelion, native to Kazakhstan, was cultivated in the Soviet Union as a domestic source of rubber in the 1930s to 50s, and after World War II to help combat the rubber shortage in Europe. Get this from a library! Close Relatives: Common dandelion Uses and Markets: The root of the Russian dandelion is a source of a high quality latex, used in making rubber, that is comparable to the latex produced by the Hevea brasiliensis rubber tree. “We are very pleased to receive this award,” said Dr Carla Recker, who heads the development project for obtaining natural rubber from dandelions at Continental. Russian dandelion has qualities very similar to those of natural rubber harvested from the Hevea tree, which currently is the main source of natural rubber used in tires. “We are making […] crosses between the Russian dandelion and the common dandelion using those modern DNA profiling technologies,” says KeyGene CEO Arjen Van Tunen. Russian dandelion is a close relative of our native dandelion. [3] T. kok-saghyz was discovered in Kazakhstan in 1932 by the Soviet Union in an effort to find a domestic source of rubber. RUSSIAN DANDELION 6 The strategic importance of building up a revolving stock pile of rubber under Government control had been recognized in 1938 by the Department of Agriculture and the War Department. Rodin (n.d.) confirmed that TKS is a simple perennial which typically grows to a height of 30cm. Natural rubber is a valuable commodity because it has useful properties that synthetic rubber lacks. Continental’s Urban Taraxagum bicycle tyre, made from dandelion rubber, has won the German Sustainability Award 2021 in the category ‘Responsible Design’. [6] Plants may contain 25 to 50 leaves arranged in one or more rosettes at the upper end of the root. It is easier to cultivate and delivers rubber faster. Russian dandelion (Taraxacum kok-saghyz) proofed to be a suitable replacement for natural rubber in the production of high-quality rubber products such as tyres. This is the Russian dandelion, or Taraxacum kok-saghyz. T. koksaghyz was discovered in 1931 in the framework of a program to make the USSR self-sufficient in strategic materials, including natural rubber. Russian dandelion (Taraxacum kok-saghyz) is native to the mountainous regions of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. This new project, as well as the Guayule project, is being undertaken by Bridgestone Americas in … Because of the invention of synthetic rubber and the higher yields of rubber per hectare from the rubber tree, the dandelion was mostly forgotten. Among other species, especially Russian dandelion (Taraxacum koksaghyz Rodin) produces highly promising amounts and qualities of rubber. In the 1930’s, Russia produced ~30% of their domestic rubber from 67,000 hectares of this plant. The draft TKS genome assembly has a length of 1.29 Gb, containing 46 731 … The remaining plant biomass could be used to produce biogas. On our blog you will find major news, background stories and press releases. Researchers have optimized the Russian dandelion to … Inulin is an interesting by-product of Tks (Van Beilen and Poirier, 2007a). To date several European tire manufacturers produced durable tires from dandelion rubber as proof of this concept (e.g. This new project, as well as the Guayule project, is being undertaken by Bridgestone Americas in collaboration with Bridgestone. The roots of this dandelion species contain the natural rubber latex (the source for natural rubber used in tires), meaning supply will be steadier and easier to control leading to greater price stability. Taraxacum kok-saghyz, often abbreviated as TKS and commonly referred to as the Kazakh dandelion, rubber root, or Russian dandelion, is a species of dandelion native to Kazakhstan, Kirghizia and Uzbekistan, that is notable for its production of high quality rubber. 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