The root system of Taraxacum kok-saghyz (short for TK) contains laticifers capable of producing natural rubber, and the structure and properties closely resemble the laticifers of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). So,. Tk is recognized as an ideal alternative plant source for natural rubber production. Due to morphological disparities between Hevea and Taraxacum, conventional iodine-bromine (I2Br2) staining proves unsuitable for laticifers morphological studies in T. kok-saghyz. Furthermore, bromine (Br2), the primary component of traditional I2Br2 staining solution, is classified as a Category II precursor chemical under stringent regulatory controls owing to its potent corrosivity, irritancy, and high procurement/transportation costs. To develop safer and more economical staining protocols for laticifer morphology, this study substituted Br2 with sodium bromide (NaBr) and hydrogen bromide (HBr). Light microscopic analysis of root sections stained with various NaBr/HBr-I2 formulations revealed I2Br2 staining induced light tan coloration of latex in laticifer, but caused severe structural degradation, and yielding suboptimal staining and section quality, NaBr-based formulation (1 mol/L NaBr+0.2 mol/L I2 in acetic acid) demonstrated improved staining efficacy with preserved root morphology, HBr-based formulation (2.5 mmol/L HBr+0.2 mol/L I2 in acetic acid) achieved optimal staining intensity while maintaining perfect histological integrity, and aqueous solvent systems (NaBr/HBr+I2 in H2O) failed to stain laticifers and induced significant tissue damage. The results confirmed that NaBr and HBr could serve as safer, cost-effective alternatives to Br2 for laticifer morphological studies. The developed methodologies would provide critical technical foundations for investigating laticifers in non-woody rubber-producing plants, including T. kok-saghyz, Lactuca species, etc.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |