Here are some examples of rubber crops, along with some details about them:
Hevea brasiliensis (Para rubber tree)
* Most common rubber source: This is the primary source of natural rubber, accounting for roughly 95% of global production.
* Origin: Native to the Amazon rainforest.
* Cultivation: Primarily grown in Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia).
* Latex extraction: Rubber is extracted from the tree's sap, known as latex, which is collected by tapping the bark.
Guayule (Parthenium argentatum)
* Alternative rubber source: A shrub native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
* Advantages: More drought-tolerant than Hevea, can be grown on marginal lands, and has potential for biofuel production.
* Challenges: Lower rubber content than Hevea, and more expensive to process.
Other Rubber-Producing Plants:
* Dandelion (Taraxacum kok-saghyz): This plant is being researched as a potential source of natural rubber due to its high latex content and ability to grow in colder climates.
* Goldenrod (Solidago spp.): Some species of goldenrod contain rubber in their roots.
* Milkweed (Asclepias spp.): While not commercially viable yet, milkweed contains latex that can be used to produce rubber.
* Rubber vine (Cryptostegia grandiflora): A perennial vine native to Madagascar, this plant produces a rubber-like latex.
It's important to note:
* Synthetic rubber: While natural rubber is still important, a significant portion of rubber used today is synthetic, made from petroleum products.
* Research and development: Continuous research is ongoing to explore new and sustainable sources of natural rubber.
