Potential for Rubber Dandelion Production on Reclaimed Strip-Mined Soil
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Date
2025-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
The increasing demand for natural rubber and the need for sustainable land reclamation strategies have sparked interest in Taraxacum kok-saghyz (TKS) production. Understanding the influence of genetic background and soil conditions on TKS survival and rubber yield is critical for assessing its viability in reclaimed environments. This study evaluated the survival of three TKS lines, along with biomass, potential heavy metal uptake, and rubber production, across four soils, zoned according to their remediation history, from The Wilds, Ohio, to determine if TKS can be grown in these reclaimed soils. Soil properties such as pH were determined using the USDA Soil Survey data. Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy (ICP) analysis found that all measured elements in the soil were within natural background levels for Franklin County, Ohio although the soils differed in element concentration. TKS survival varied significantly by line and soil: Golf, a line bred over six generations for large root size, exhibited the highest survival rates across all soils and Wildtype had the poorest survival rate. The control soil (Soil R) had the highest survival rate. Shoot biomass was significantly influenced by soil and the interaction between line and soil, with Foxtrot in Soil R producing the highest shoot dry weight. Root:shoot and root dry weight showed no significant differences. Rubber content was significantly affected by soil and the interaction between line and soil, with the highest content found in Soils R and B and the lowest in Soil D. Future research should prioritize in situ soil pH monitoring, long-term studies, and controlled conditions to optimize TKS for rubber yield and soil adaptation in reclaimed areas. Economic viability and site selection are crucial for scaling TKS cultivation for both rubber supply and environmental benefits like phytoremediation.
Description
First Place, Environmental and Plant Sciences, 2023 CFAES Poster Competition
Keywords
Taraxacum kok-saghyz (TKS) Production, Phytoremediation, Soil Remediation and Reclamation, Rubber Yield and Crop Viability, Genetic Background of TKS Lines, Soil Properties and pH Influence