Laticifer ontogeny in taraxacum kok-saghyz roots

Authors: Cornish, Katrina; ABDUL GHAFFAR, MUHAMMAD AKBAR - The Ohio State University

Submitted to: Rubber Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/18/2025
Publication Date: 12/1/2025
Citation: Cornish, K., Abdul Ghaffar, M. 2025. Laticifer ontogeny in taraxacum kok-saghyz roots. Rubber Science. 38(2):163-177.

Interpretive Summary: Taraxacum kok-saghyz (rubber dandelion) is being developed as a commercial crop as an alternative to Hevea brasiliensis (the para rubber tree, Hevea), a tropical tree that is the sole commercial source of natural rubber, a critical raw material. Hevea bark and rubber dandelion roots contain pipe-like multi-nucleate vessels called laticifers, which produce rubber-containing latex. Rubber particles appeared in cells before laticifers developed, as early as eight days after germination. All roots developed laticifers by 16 days. Although no clear correlation of laticifer number and rubber concentration was observed, these findings provide useful information on laticifer development that may form the basis of early-stage prediction of potential rubber concentration and yield in rubber dandelion roots.

Technical Abstract: Taraxacum kok-saghyz (rubber dandelion) is being developed as a commercial crop as an alternative to Hevea brasiliensis (the para rubber tree, Hevea), a tropical tree that is the sole commercial source of natural rubber. Hevea bark and rubber dandelion roots contain pipe-like multi-nucleate vessels called laticifers, which produce rubber-containing latex. This study reports a histological understanding of rubber dandelion laticifer ontogeny and development, obtained by characterizing the morphology and development of rubber-producing cells using different microscopy methods. Rubber particles appeared in cells before laticifers developed, as early as eight days after germination. Laticifers were first observed 14 days after germination at the pericycle and outside of the primary phloem group and all roots had laticifers after 16 days. Rubber dandelion formed articulated anastomosing laticifers but no non-articulated laticifers. In mature rubber dandelion roots, the highest laticifer numbers were recorded near the crown and the number decreased towards the root tip. Conversely, laticifer density was highest where the root diameter was smallest. Although no clear correlation of laticifer number and rubber concentration was observed, these findings provide useful information on laticifer development that may form the basis of early-stage prediction of potential rubber concentration and yield in rubber dandelion roots.