China achieves success with gutta-percha tree breeding

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 ◆ China achieves success with gutta-percha tree breeding

China has stepped into the forefront of gutta-percha tree breeding in the world, with four propagation projects for the medicinal tree passing the appraisal of specialists recently in northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

Provincial Science and Technology Bureau specialists said the trees bred are of high medicinal content with high yields of gutta-percha derived from their milky sap, meeting advanced global standards.

The specialists believe the success of the Qinzhong projects No.1 through 4 will help farmers from gutta-percha tree planting areas in 20 provincial areas across China increase their incomes and help improve the environment in those areas.

Gutta-percha tree is an unique, endangered plant prized in China for its medicinal and industrial uses. Owing to environmental and genetic changes and natural hybridizing, many gutta-percha trees have reportedly suffered a lower medicinal content and gutta-percha yield, failing to meet demand in the country for medicinal bark, gutta-percha and linolenic acid oil.

It has taken 16 years for Chinese researchers to succeed with the gutta-percha tree breeding project.