Apricot Mac12/45 Breeding for Early Harvest and Firm Flesh
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current apricot varieties lack distinct characteristics such as early harvest, deep orange color, firm flesh, and high soluble solids content, as well as specific pest and disease tolerances, which are desirable for improved fruit quality and market competitiveness.
Innovation Solution
The development of the Prunus armeniaca variety 'Mac12/45', which exhibits large, deep rose overcolored fruit with deep orange flesh, earlier harvest than 'F168', finer texture than 'F194', and compatibility with peach seedlings, demonstrating stability across generations and resistance to pests and diseases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing apricot varieties are used, then they have established market presence, but they lack distinct characteristics such as early harvest, deep orange color, firm flesh, and high soluble solids content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by developing a new apricot variety with modified genetic parameters that result in distinct characteristics: earlier harvest timing (one week before F168), deeper orange coloration (solid flush of deep rose overcolor), firmer flesh texture, and higher soluble solids content. This resolves the contradiction by changing the variety parameters to achieve both market competitiveness and distinct characteristics.
2Loss of time
If apricot varieties are bred for earlier harvest, then harvest time is reduced, but fruit quality characteristics may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The Mac12/45 variety achieves earlier harvest (one week before F168) while maintaining or improving fruit quality parameters including deep orange color, firm flesh texture, and high soluble solids content. The genetic parameters were changed to enable earlier maturation without sacrificing quality characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The variety was developed through deliberate crossing and selection processes that pre-established the genetic traits for both early harvest and high quality characteristics, allowing the tree to naturally express these traits without additional intervention.
3Strength
If apricot varieties are selected for firm flesh texture, then flesh firmness is improved, but other quality attributes may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The Mac12/45 variety exhibits firm flesh texture combined with other desirable quality attributes including deep orange color, high soluble solids content, and fine texture. The genetic parameters were changed to achieve multiple quality improvements simultaneously rather than prioritizing a single trait.
Data Source
AI summary
A new and distinct apricot variety is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from controlled crossing of the varieties ‘Bhart’ (not patented), marketed as Orangered™, and an unreleased selection (not patented) which was the result of crossing ‘Cluthagold’ (not patented) and ‘Late Moorpark’ (not patented). The new variety is distinguished from others by the deep rose over color of the mature fruit accompanied by deep orange colored firm flesh with high soluble solids content. Fruit of ‘Mac12/45’ matures in early February in Otago, New Zealand and is notably precocious, fruiting in the second year after planting in Otago, New Zealand.