August Time Nectarine Hybridization for Self-Fertility and Season
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a new variety of nectarine tree that combines desirable traits such as self-fertility, mid to late season blooming, and fruit characteristics like red skin and yellow flesh, while also being adaptable to specific climatic conditions and having improved flavor and kernel characteristics.
Innovation Solution
The 'August Time' nectarine variety is developed through hybridization of '34P572' nectarine and 'Candy Princess' peach, exhibiting self-fertility, mid to late season blooming, and producing medium to large-sized, acidic, and sweet nectarines with a bitter kernel, adapted to central California conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hybridization is used to combine desirable traits, then self-fertility and fruit characteristics are improved, but maturing time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines self-fertility from the seed parent '34P572' with mid-to-late season blooming characteristics from the pollen parent 'Candy Princess' peach, creating a hybrid nectarine that achieves both traits simultaneously. The hybridization process merges desirable genetic attributes from both parents into a single variety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes controlled hybridization to change the maturing time parameter, extending it from early season to mid-to-late season. This parameter change allows the fruit to develop superior flavor and quality characteristics while maintaining self-fertility, resolving the contradiction between early maturing and quality development.
2Reliability
If hybridization is used to improve flavor and fruit quality, then fruit characteristics are enhanced, but tree size and blooming density increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating blooming density and fruit production in specific regional areas rather than uniform distribution. The tree develops enhanced blooming density in the mid-to-late season period, creating localized peaks of floral and fruit production that improve overall quality without requiring excessive tree size throughout the entire canopy.
3Productivity
If fruit are grown for long-distance shipping, then shipping quality is improved, but fruit quality maintenance is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by developing the fruit's flavor, texture, and skin characteristics during the mid-to-late season growth period before harvest. This preliminary development of quality attributes ensures that the fruit is optimally prepared for shipping, with enhanced firmness and flavor that are maintained during long-distance transportation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, Prunus persica, broadly characterized by a medium to large size, vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The variety blooms during the mid to late season and requires about 600 chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in mid August, with first picking on Aug. 12, 2017. The fruit is uniform, large in size, acidic with traditional nectarine flavor, globose to slightly elongated in shape, clingstone in type, firm and crisp in texture, yellow in flesh color, virtually full red in skin color, and has a bitter tasting kernel.