Growers and Producers
Guayule
Guayule (Parthenium argentatum) is a plant that is native to the deserts of southern United States and Northern Mexico. Because guayule is a desert plant, it is very drought tolerant and can survive under harsh conditions. Guayule can produce natural rubber which is a valuable commodity for the manufacture of tires, gloves, and other products where natural rubber is demanded. Guayule rubber is different from the latex rubber imported from the tropics; in that it does not contain latex allergen that may present health-related challenges for sensitive individuals.
Currently, guayule has been domesticated and is currently grown by some farmers in Arizona. The Sustainable Bioeconomy for Arid Regions Center is funding several projects to develop guayule as an economic crop for farmers in the southwestern region. On-going research activities include cultivar selection for cold tolerance, irrigation management, and insect and weed control. Bridgestone Americas Inc. has been a strong partner of the SBAR Center for the advancement of guayule research in the Southwest.
Grower Resources
We have conducted several field days and targeted meetings/workshops in Arizona and New Mexico, to share best management practices for growing guar and guayule. Specific factsheets and extension publications will be available that explain and document recent advances in research on guar and guayule.