Rubber Tree

Abstract

Hevea brasiliensis (Para rubber tree) is the major source of commercial natural rubber (cis‐1,4‐polyisoprene). Rubber produced in specialized cells called laticifers is one of the most important biological molecules used for the manufacture of about 35000 products. Being a cross‐pollinated perennial tree species, genetic improvement through conventional breeding is a rather slow process. Biotechnology would play an important role in the future of the rubber industry. Plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis using a variety of explant sources like, integumental tissues, immature anther, immature inflorescences, and leaf explants are well standardized. Many genes controlling important agronomic traits and tissue‐specific promoters have been characterized in rubber. Agrobacterium and biolistic‐mediated genetic transformation systems are well established in this crop. Thus, the basic technology for genetic manipulation of rubber plant at the cellular and molecular levels is available, making rubber a suitable crop for genetic engineering. In different laboratories, rubber plants were genetically transformed for recombinant protein production with the gene coding for human serum albumin, immunoglobulin single chain variable fragment, and TB antigen gene. Transgenic rubber plants were also produced with Mn.SOD gene to confer tolerance against a variety of environmental stresses and tapping panel dryness. Attempts are also going on to enhance the rubber yield through transgenic approaches. Since, the major harvested products are not used as food material, the biosafety concerns are less for the genetically modified rubber plants.

The use of Microsatellite Markers in Genetic Variation Analysis of Some Introduced Rubber Tree (<em>Hevea brasiliensis</em>) Clones Cultivated in Ghana

“…A combination of four microsatellite markers was used to discriminate uniquely 27 Hevea clones and also to generate some clonespecifi c allelic profi les (Saha et al, 2005). The rubber breeding objective is to provide superior and mature budded clones for latex production, rubber-wood production, quality rubber products and environmental protection through carbon sequestration (Venkatachalam et al, 2013). Hevea breeding is time-consuming and expensive.…”