Alfalfa Somatic Embryogenesis Breeding for Yield and Stress Resistance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current alfalfa breeding methods face challenges in developing plants with improved somatic embryogenesis, adaptation, productivity, winterhardiness, and disease resistance, which are essential for enhanced yield and quality.

Innovation Solution

Development of agronomically adapted alfalfa plants with improved somatic embryogenesis, achieved through the identification and crossing of plants with high somatic embryogenesis capabilities, combined with genetic material from germplasm 'CW-R97-037-001' and 'CW-R97-037-005', and the use of transgenic techniques to introduce desirable traits such as salt tolerance and reduced leaf senescence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional alfalfa breeding methods are used, then traditional agronomic traits may be maintained, but somatic embryogenesis capability remains limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesomatic embryogenesis capabilityVSAvoidyield and quality improvement rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selecting and breeding alfalfa plants with specifically improved somatic embryogenesis parameters. The breeding program targets plants that exhibit enhanced ability to form somatic embryos from tissue culture, representing a fundamental change in the regenerative capacity parameter of the plant. This enables faster propagation and transformation efficiency while maintaining agronomic adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If focus is placed on improving somatic embryogenesis, then plant propagation efficiency increases, but other agronomic traits such as disease resistance and winterhardiness may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepropagation efficiencyVSAvoiddisease resistance and winterhardiness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple desirable traits by combining selection for high somatic embryogenesis capability with selection for agronomic adaptability, disease resistance, and winterhardiness. The breeding program integrates these parallel selection criteria to produce alfalfa lines that simultaneously exhibit enhanced propagation efficiency and maintained reliability of agronomic traits. This combining approach ensures that improved somatic embryogenesis does not come at the expense of other critical plant characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If diverse alfalfa cultivars are developed for different climates, then adaptability improves, but the complexity of breeding programs increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclimate adaptationVSAvoidbreeding program complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by developing alfalfa breeding lines with improved somatic embryogenesis that can serve multiple functions across different climatic conditions. The selected plants possess enhanced regenerative capability that makes them suitable for both conventional field adaptation to various climates and for tissue culture-based propagation programs. This multi-functionality reduces breeding program complexity by using the same improved lines for both adaptability testing and high-efficiency propagation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7772464B2Agronomically adapted alfalfa plants with high levels of somatic embryogenesis
Publication Date: 2010.08.10 DLF USA INC

AI summary

The invention provides alfalfa plants having adaptation, productivity, winterhardiness, and disease resistance with high levels of somatic embryogenesis. Plants and plant parts of the invention are useful in the efficient development of transgenic alfalfa plants with adaptation, productivity, winterhardiness, and disease resistance.