Alfalfa Variety Breeding for Stable Yield and Pest Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing alfalfa breeding methods are complex and unpredictable, requiring extensive time and resources to develop agronomically superior varieties due to alfalfa's autotetraploid genome and self-incompatibility, leading to challenges in predicting final varieties and susceptibility to inbreeding depression.

Innovation Solution

Development of the alfalfa variety C0317A3152, which is resistant to multiple pests and diseases, and methods for crossing and propagating this variety to produce stable, high-yielding seeds and plants, including vegetative propagation and transgene introduction, enabling the creation of new strains and varieties with desired traits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional breeding methods are used to develop alfalfa varieties, then agronomically superior varieties can be achieved, but the process becomes complex and unpredictable requiring extensive time and resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepredictability of breeding outcomeVSAvoidtime required for variety development
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing alfalfa's autotetraploid genome characteristics and manipulating ploidy levels to achieve predictable breeding outcomes. By understanding and working with the specific genetic parameters of alfalfa (4x genome), the breeding process becomes more controllable and less unpredictable, reducing both time and resource requirements while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If traditional breeding methods are used to develop alfalfa varieties, then agronomically superior varieties can be achieved, but extensive resources are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebreeding outcome qualityVSAvoidresources required for breeding
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the approach by leveraging the autotetraploid nature of alfalfa and implementing specific breeding strategies that reduce resource requirements. By working with the inherent genetic parameters of the crop and using targeted selection methods, the patent achieves reliable breeding outcomes with reduced input of time, labor, and material resources compared to traditional approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If self-incompatibility is present in alfalfa, then genetic diversity is maintained, but breeding predictability and stability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegenetic diversityVSAvoidvariety stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses this contradiction by utilizing the autotetraploid genome structure and implementing controlled breeding strategies. By manipulating ploidy parameters and using specific crossing schemes, the patent maintains genetic diversity through self-incompatibility while simultaneously achieving variety stability in the final bred lines, resolving the apparent conflict between these two requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12593810B2Alfalfa variety C0317A3152
Publication Date: 2026.04.07 FORAGE GENETICS INTERNATIONAL LLC

AI summary

The invention relates to the alfalfa variety designated C0317A3152. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the alfalfa variety C0317A3152. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the alfalfa variety C0317A3152 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing alfalfa plants by crossing the alfalfa variety C0317A3152 with itself or another alfalfa variety and plants produced by such methods.