Blackberry PS-BK3-17.006-13 Breeding for Climate Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a blackberry variety that can thrive in the central coast of California's climate and maintain consistent fruit production throughout the year, with desirable traits such as firm flesh and skin, reduced thorn density, strong fruit adherence to the receptacle, and good flavor.
Innovation Solution
The development of the blackberry variety 'PS-BK3-17.006-13', resulting from a controlled cross between 'BK3 14.046-34' and 'BK3 14.057-02', which is adapted to the central coast climate, exhibits primocane production, firm berries, reduced thorn density, strong fruit adherence, and good flavor, and has been asexually propagated to ensure these traits remain true through successive generations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the blackberry variety is developed for central coast California climate adaptation, then year-round fruit production is improved, but adaptability to other climates may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting and propagating plants with specific physiological parameters adapted to central coast California conditions, including temperature ranges, humidity levels, and day length patterns. The variety 'PS-BK3-17.006-13' has been bred with specific genetic parameters that optimize fruit production for this particular climate zone, achieving year-round bearing through controlled primocane and floricane fruiting cycles.
2Ease of operation
If thorn density is reduced for easier handling, then ease of operation is improved, but plant defense against pests and diseases may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating variation in thorn distribution across different parts of the plant. The variety 'PS-BK3-17.006-13' exhibits reduced thorn density on primocanes (current season canes) to facilitate handling and harvesting, while maintaining adequate thorn presence on floricanes (previous season canes) to provide defense against pests and diseases. This spatial differentiation of thorn characteristics resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and plant defense.
3Reliability
If fruit adherence to receptacle is strengthened to prevent dropping, then fruit loss is reduced, but fruit size and quality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the biochemical and structural parameters of the fruit-receptacle connection. The variety 'PS-BK3-17.006-13' has been bred with enhanced adhesion parameters at the receptacle level, resulting in strong fruit attachment that prevents dropping during harvesting and transport. This is achieved through controlled development of the receptacle tissue and fruit set mechanisms, maintaining fruit quality and size while improving adherence.
4Stability of the object's composition
If asexual propagation is used to maintain true-to-type traits, then breeding consistency is improved, but genetic diversity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by using asexual propagation methods (such as tip cuttings and dormant cane propagation) to create identical genetic copies of the selected parent plant. This ensures that the desirable traits of variety 'PS-BK3-17.006-13' are maintained true-to-type across multiple generations without the variability introduced by sexual reproduction. The copying process preserves the specific genetic composition that produces the desired fruit characteristics and plant behavior.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a new and distinct everbearing variety of blackberry plant named ‘PS-BK3-17.006-13’. The new variety is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the central coast of California and is characterized by the following: mid-season primocane production with medium sized fruit with good flesh and skin firmness. Fruit is of consistent oblong shape, with medium gloss and good flavor. Foliage is slightly convex (u-shaped) and medium green, possessing weak rugosity, weak gloss and 5-foliate leaves. Primocanes have an absent or very weak waxy coat, low thorn density of green thorns and weak anthocyanin coloration.