Location: Bioproducts Research
Project Number: 2030-30600-003-011-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement
Start Date: Aug 1, 2026
End Date: Sep 30, 2027
Objective:
The USDA-ARS Bioproducts Research Unit, Albany, California, under National Program 306: Product Quality and New Uses, seeks to advance ‘Synthesis and Production of Natural Rubber and Biobased Products’. Research includes developing new natural rubber-producing crops with increased yield for domestic production. USDA-ARS scientists have expertise in basic rubber biosynthesis mechanisms and apply sophisticated techniques to genotype and phenotype characteristics of rubber-producing plants and their secondary metabolites. The USAF Research Laboratory is engaged in research efforts to address the national need for a domestic source of natural rubber, and desires to collaborate with USDA to advance genetics and yield in rubber-producing plants.
Approach:
The USDA-ARS Bioproducts Research Unit in Albany, California, and the USAF Research Laboratory, Biomaterials Branch, Materials & Manufacturing Directorate, desire to jointly develop a database of rubber dandelion root tissue composition. Specifically, the rubber content and carbohydrate content of rubber dandelion breeding lines will be quantified using Accelerated Solvent Extraction and % Fructan determination, respectively. The data will be used by USAF partners to advance yield in rubber dandelion breeding lines.