| Autor: |
Schuchovski C; Departamento de Fitotecnia e Fitossanidade, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Rua dos Funcionários, 1540 CEP 80035-050 Curitiba, Brazil., Meulia T; Molecular and Cellular Imaging Center, The Ohio State University, 1680 Madison Avenue, Wooster, OH 44691, USA., Sant'Anna-Santos BF; Laboratório de Anatomia e Biomecânica Vegetal, Departamento de Botânica, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Avenida Coronel Francisco H. dos Santos, 100, Centro Politécnico, Jardim das Américas, C.P. 19031, 81531-980 Curitiba, Brazil., Fresnedo-Ramírez J; Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, The Ohio State University, 1680 Madison Avenue, Wooster, OH 44691, USA. |
| Abstrakt: |
Rubber dandelion ( Taraxacum kok-saghyz Rodin; TK) has received attention for its natural rubber content as a strategic biomaterial, and a promising, sustainable, and renewable alternative to synthetic rubber from fossil carbon sources. Extensive research on the domestication and rubber content of TK has demonstrated TK's potential in industrial applications as a relevant natural rubber and latex-producing alternative crop. However, many aspects of its biology have been neglected in published studies. For example, floral development is still poorly characterized. TK inflorescences were studied by scanning electron microscopy. Nine stages of early inflorescence development are proposed, and floral micromorphology is detailed. Individual flower primordia development starts at the periphery and proceeds centripetally in the newly-formed inflorescence meristem. Floral organogenesis begins in the outermost flowers of the capitulum, with corolla ring and androecium formation. Following, pappus primordium-forming a ring around the base of the corolla tube-and gynoecium are observed. The transition from vegetative to inflorescence meristem was observed 21 days after germination. This description of inflorescence and flower development in TK sheds light on the complex process of flowering, pollination, and reproduction. This study will be useful for genetics, breeding, systematics, and development of agronomical practices for this new rubber-producing crop. |
