Acid Whey Application for Pollen Germination Under Thermal Stress

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flowering plants face challenges in sexual reproduction due to environmental fluctuations, particularly temperature variations, which can lead to reduced germination of pollen grains and elongation of pollen tubes, impacting seed and fruit production.

Innovation Solution

The use of acid whey in liquid form, potentially combined with brown seaweed extract and sucrose, is applied to stimulate the germination of pollen grains and elongation of pollen tubes, enhancing their speed and frequency, even under thermal stress conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pollen grain germination and pollen tube elongation proceed under normal conditions, then sexual reproduction succeeds, but environmental temperature fluctuations cause reduction in germination and elongation, leading to reproduction failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuccess of sexual reproductionVSAvoidtemperature fluctuations affecting pollen germination and tube elongation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary substance (pollen tube growth promoter or protective agent) that mediates between the pollen grain and the environmental stressors. This intermediary protects the pollen tube during its elongation through the pistil, enabling successful fertilization even under temperature stress conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical environment for pollen tube growth through the use of growth promoters and protective agents. These substances alter the physiological parameters of pollen tube development, enhancing its resistance to temperature fluctuations and improving reproduction reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the progamic phase proceeds quickly, then evolutionary advantage is gained, but thermal stress during this phase causes abortion and reduces seed/fruit production

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of progamic phaseVSAvoidfertilization success rate

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-treating pollen grains or pistils with protective agents before the progamic phase occurs. This preparation ensures that when thermal stress encounters the developing pollen tube, the protective mechanism is already in place, maintaining both speed and reliability of fertilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements beforehand cushioning by applying protective agents that create a protective environment for the pollen tube during its vulnerable elongation phase. This cushioning effect buffers against thermal stress, preventing abortion while maintaining the rapid progression of the progamic phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS20240306645A1Use of an acid whey to stimulate the germination of a plant pollen grain

Publication Date: 2024.09.19 AGRO INNOVATION INT

AI summary

The invention relates to the use of an acid whey to stimulate the germination of a plant pollen grain and/or to stimulate the elongation of the pollen tube of said pollen grain. According to another aspect, the invention relates to a method for stimulating the germination of a plant pollen grain and/or for stimulating the elongation of the pollen tube of said pollen grain, in which an acid whey is applied to the plant in an amount sufficient to stimulate the germination of the pollen grain and/or to stimulate the elongation of the pollen tube of said pollen grain. According to a final aspect, the invention relates to a composition comprising (i) an acid whey and (ii) a brown seaweed extract.