The launch meeting of the Strategic Priority Research Program named “Exploitation and Utilization of High-quality Rubber-producing Pant Resources” was held at Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) from January 18-20.

The research program focuses on the "bottleneck" of low yield of high-quality natural rubber in China, aiming to clarify the key regulatory mechanisms for rubber yield and quality traits. It will be completed by XTBG (leading) and the Institute of Botany and the Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

By utilizing advanced gene breeding technology platforms, the researchers will try to create high-yield and cold-resistant superior rubber tree germplasms, realizing the "northward movement of rubber", providing scientific and technological support for ensuring the safe supply of high-quality natural rubber in China.

Prof. Xing Yaowu, principal investigator of the program, detailed the project's background, work foundation, research plan, target outcomes, talent team, budget, and progress. Other responsible persons of each project respectively reported on the specific implementation plans and progress of their respective projects.

The participating experts offered suggestions that the project should further focus on problems, make breakthroughs in key technologies, and achieve advancements in resource mining, rubber production mechanisms, rubber collection methods, and the development of latex testing equipment. They hope to further consolidate efforts to ensure the output of results, jointly promoting the high-quality development of the rubber industry.

Over 60 people, including officials, backbone members, and management personnel of the special project at all levels, attended the meeting.

Participants pose a group photo.

The meeting.

At rubber germplasm base.