Scientists around the world are currently engaged in a race to utilize the humble dandelion's ability to produce tire-grade rubber from in the root. Typically Dandelions are-regarded as the scourge of gardeners.
At the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME) in Muenster, Germany, scientists are working to breed a type of dandelion, native to Kazakhstan, Whose tap root yields a milky fluid with tire-grade rubber particles in it. Researcher Dirk Pruefer Explained more about what they hope to discover: "We are looking for genes involved-in the bio-synthesis of rubber. And with this knowledge we would like to create novel plants that are rubber producing stable rubber, under there field conditions.
"The natural product obtained in this manner exhibited the same quality as the conventional rubber from trees imported from subtropical countries and used in tire production. However, unlike the conventional rubber, it could be harvested could be very cost-effectively, better-cultivated and grown in Europe - even on land areas previously not suited to agricultural crops and used in fashion ware" One of the main challenges in dandelion research was to produce plants, novel That plants have an improved rubber content that has a good economic behavior in the field. That Is why we're working since years on the breeding program to develop new traits in the plants, stabilized traits for example a stable rubber content, "said Pruefer.
At the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME) in Muenster, Germany, scientists are working to breed a type of dandelion, native to Kazakhstan, Whose tap root yields a milky fluid with tire-grade rubber particles in it. Researcher Dirk Pruefer Explained more about what they hope to discover: "We are looking for genes involved-in the bio-synthesis of rubber. And with this knowledge we would like to create novel plants that are rubber producing stable rubber, under there field conditions."The natural product obtained in this manner exhibited the same quality as the conventional rubber from trees imported from subtropical countries and used in tire production. However, unlike the conventional rubber, it could be harvested could be very cost-effectively, better-cultivated and grown in Europe - even on land areas previously not suited to agricultural crops and used in fashion ware" One of the main challenges in dandelion research was to produce plants, novel That plants have an improved rubber content that has a good economic behavior in the field. That Is why we're working since years on the breeding program to develop new traits in the plants, stabilized traits for example a stable rubber content, "said Pruefer. 
Far from hoping That the rubber tree can be Replaced, tire makers would be happy with a complementary source. In location addition, the record high price of rubber has added urgency to the search for alternative crops.
In tests, the experimental rubber Has performed on a par with conventional natural rubber; but it will take some more years of development - even after the ongoing projects end - before the first dandelion tires appear on the market. Scientists at an indoor farm produces in Singapore are using cutting edge technology to reduce growing times and costs. The Panasonic lab-farm is one of the projects in the works to increase to the capability of the small island state, Which currently imports are the key more than 95 percent of Its produce, to grow vegetables its own. Advances in LED technology, mean engineers can shine the exact type of light Necessary for plant cultivation. This Has proved highly important in Allowing this method of cultivation to take place, and be cost effective.
In tests, the experimental rubber Has performed on a par with conventional natural rubber; but it will take some more years of development - even after the ongoing projects end - before the first dandelion tires appear on the market. Scientists at an indoor farm produces in Singapore are using cutting edge technology to reduce growing times and costs. The Panasonic lab-farm is one of the projects in the works to increase to the capability of the small island state, Which currently imports are the key more than 95 percent of Its produce, to grow vegetables its own. Advances in LED technology, mean engineers can shine the exact type of light Necessary for plant cultivation. This Has proved highly important in Allowing this method of cultivation to take place, and be cost effective. 
Alfred Tham is Agricultural, business unit Manager at Panasonic Factory Solutions Said. "Our LEDs are specially designed to simulate two out of seven sunlight rays That Is Necessary for photosynthesis. As control the settings and duration of the lights to achieve optimum cultivation for our crops. "Tuning the lights to exactly the right spectrum to stimulate growth is just one way the technicians are able to make efficiency gains and cut costs.
Also they've set-up an array of monitoring devices, meaning as little of the growing process is left to chance as possible. "We measure and control the soil moisture and pH value at different processes, Also our water is treated through our filtration system to Achieve optimum quality That Is best for our plant growth," said Tham. According to Tham, the high-tech approach to farming means-the time it takes for the plants to reach maturity is Significantly reduced and people who've tested the produce have been very positive about the results.
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