AFLP Primer Selection for Aphanomyces Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for controlling Aphanomyces cochlioides, a soil-borne fungus affecting sugar beet crops, are ineffective, leading to significant yield reduction and high costs in selecting resistant plant varieties due to reliance on phenotypic disease symptoms and environmental factors, which can result in incorrect judgments and resource-intensive efforts.

Innovation Solution

Development of a molecular biological method using AFLP and genetic analysis to create primers for selecting Aphanomyces cochlioides-resistant plant varieties, allowing for accurate identification of resistant genes and varieties independent of phenotype, through DNA polymorphism and primer pairs linked to resistance loci.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If selection of resistant plant variety is based on conventional phenotypic disease symptoms, then selection can be performed using traditional methods, but incorrect judgments occur when affected stocks do not show accidental disease symptoms due to environmental factors, and enormous efforts, time, and costs are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveselection accuracyVSAvoidselection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/visual inspection method (phenotypic observation) with a molecular biological method (DNA analysis using AFLP and specific primers). This substitution allows direct detection of resistance genes at the molecular level, eliminating the delay and inaccuracy associated with waiting for and observing disease symptoms. The primer-based detection method provides immediate genetic information about resistance without being influenced by environmental factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables preliminary detection of resistance genes before disease symptoms manifest. By using DNA extraction and primer-based amplification, the resistance status can be determined at the seedling stage or even earlier, rather than waiting for phenotypic expression. This preliminary action saves time by identifying resistant plants before they would naturally express disease symptoms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If selection of resistant plant variety is based on conventional phenotypic disease symptoms, then traditional selection methods can be used, but enormous efforts and costs are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveselection reliabilityVSAvoidselection effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces labor-intensive manual phenotypic evaluation with automated molecular biological techniques. DNA extraction, PCR amplification with specific primers, and gel electrophoresis provide objective, reproducible results that are not subject to human error or environmental interference. This substitution significantly reduces manual effort while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses DNA copies (amplified fragments) to represent the resistance gene information. Instead of directly observing the complex phenotypic expression of resistance, the method creates and analyzes copies of specific DNA regions that contain resistance gene markers. This copying approach simplifies the selection process by working with replicated molecular signals rather than complex biological phenotypes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If molecular biological method using AFLP and genetic analysis is used to create primers for selecting resistant plant varieties, then high-accuracy selection is enabled, but additional technical complexity is introduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveselection accuracyVSAvoidmethod complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential and most informative DNA fragments related to resistance genes using specifically designed primers. Instead of analyzing the entire genome or all AFLP markers, the method isolates and amplifies only the relevant genetic regions. This extraction approach maintains high accuracy while reducing the complexity of analysis by focusing on critical genetic markers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by using primers that target specific local regions of the genome associated with resistance. Rather than uniform analysis across the entire genome, the method concentrates analytical resources on specific loci that have been identified as linked to resistance traits. This localized approach improves precision while managing complexity through targeted analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2017336B1Marker for selecting aphanomyces cochlioides-resistant variety and selection method therefor
Publication Date: 2017.10.11 NAT AGRI & FOOD RES ORG
  • EP2017336B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP2017336B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D
  • EP2017336B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

As an effective means of controlling Aphanomyce cochlioides, to provide a method of highly accurately selecting an Aphanomyce cochlioides-resistant plant variety by using a molecular biological method without depending on the phenotype. To efficiently grow the resultant Aphanomyce cochlioides-resistant plant variety. A method of selecting an Aphanomyce cochlioides-resistant plant variety based on the AFLP method with the use of primers for selecting an Aphanomyce cochlioides-resistant plant variety which strongly link with the locus of an allele having the dominant phenotype of the resistance against Aphanomyce cochlioides.