About the project
Project Manager
Bari Gabit
PhD
Scopus Author ID: 56650735500
Researcher ID: ABA-2385-2020
ORCID: 0000-0003-1987-7315
Relevance
The problem of proposition: Currently, the primary commercial source of natural rubber is the Brazilian rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). Due to its susceptibility to fungal pathogens, there is a need to expand its plantations, but its growing zone is limited to the tropics. Therefore, alternative sources of natural rubber are necessary. For cultivation in Kazakhstan, where Hevea does not acclimatize, the dandelion kok-saghyz (Taraxacum kok-saghyz) is widely recognized as the best species. It is a suitable plant with high-quality rubber, comparable to Hevea. Kok-saghyz is endemic to the intermountain valleys of the Tien Shan. To introduce kok-saghyz into cultivation, it is necessary to improve its agronomic traits: early maturity, increased root mass, and increased rubber content in the roots. To quickly achieve the aforementioned goals, it is essential to enhance the productivity of kok-saghyz, which can be achieved by selecting high-yielding forms from induced tetraploid plants, a promising technology for improving these agronomic traits.
Scientific research on obtaining high-yielding tetraploid forms of kok-saghyz through selection in the Republic of Kazakhstan is being conducted for the first time. According to global studies, there is a lack of work on the creation of tetraploid varieties. The problems to be addressed in this project include obtaining high-yielding kok-saghyz forms by selecting large roots with high natural rubber content and quality from tetraploid plants that were previously induced by us.
The main approaches to research include: sowing seeds of tetraploid kok-saghyz, selecting forms with large root mass and high natural rubber content, rubber extraction, vegetative propagation of selected forms through root cuttings, collecting seeds from propagated high-yielding plant forms, high-tech analyses of real-time PCR of target genes involved in rubber synthesis and polymerization degree (Gel-permeation chromatography) to assess the quality of natural rubber from selected forms.
Purpose
Selection of plants with large roots, high content and quality of natural rubber from tetraploid lines of kok-saghyz
Expected and achieved results
Anticipated results. For the first time in Kazakhstan, high-yielding tetraploid forms of kok-saghyz with large root mass, high content and quality of natural rubber will be obtained. Additionally, for the first time, a comparative quantitative PCR analysis of tetraploid forms with control diploid plants will be conducted as part of fundamental research. Furthermore, the extraction of natural rubber using the fungus Thermomyces lanuginosus, a destructor of root cellulose, will be performed for the first time.
As a result, at least two articles will be published in journals ranked within the top three quartiles by impact factor in the Web of Science database or with a CiteScore percentile of no less than 50 in the Scopus database.
Information for potential users
The practical significance of the results will be in the introduction of high-yielding tetraploid kok-saghyz into farming and crop production. The transfer of the obtained high-yielding tetraploid forms of kok-saghyz to the variety registry for trials in Kazakhstan will create opportunities for the commercialization of research results. The main target consumers will be farming enterprises, manufacturers of rubber and polymer products both in Kazakhstan and abroad.
Scientific advisers
1. Uteulin Kairat
d.b.s., assosiate professor
Scopus Author ID: 6602865844
Researcher ID: L-3508-2018
ORCID: 0000-0002-5459-0902
2. Kuluev Bulat
d.b.s., professor
Scopus Author ID: 23094029400
Researcher ID: N-3927-2016
ORCID: 0000-0002-1564-164X