Department of Horticulture and Crop Science Projects

Taraxacum kok-saghyz (TK, a.k.a. rubber dandelion) is a dandelion relative that produces high-quality natural rubber (NR) in its roots. NR is used in about 50,000 products, and while global demand steadily increases, supply is solely dependent on Hevea brasiliensis, the rubber tree. H....

Drought stress is a major contributor to the loss of horticulture crop value due to its negative effects on plant growth and flowering. In addition, post-production drought stress can also reduce the physiological health of plants, negatively impacting crop quality at retail and with consumers....