Blackred VI Interspecific Plum Tree Breeding for Early Maturity and Fruit Quality
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plum tree varieties face challenges in producing fruit that is both sweet and firm in texture, with adequate size and early maturity, while also being self-unfruitful and requiring cross-pollination for successful pollination.
Innovation Solution
The development of the 'Blackred VI' interspecific tree variety, which is self-unfruitful and requires cross-pollination, produces fruit that is dark red to purple in skin color, red in flesh, juicy, clingstone, and matures earlier than similar varieties, with improved sweetness, size, and firmness, and is compatible with 'Nemaguard' rootstock for asexually reproduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If existing plum tree varieties are used, then fruit production is achieved, but the fruit lacks sufficient sweetness, firmness, and adequate size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by developing a new interspecific variety 'Blackred VI' with modified genetic parameters that result in improved fruit characteristics including increased size, enhanced sweetness, improved firmness, and consistent quality. The variety was bred to produce uniform medium to large-sized fruit with reliable shipping and storage quality.
2Loss of time
If existing plum varieties are used, then fruit is produced, but maturity is delayed and does not achieve early season harvest
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves early maturity while maintaining quality through parameter changes in the variety's growth and development characteristics. 'Blackred VI' was bred to mature approximately seven days earlier than similar varieties like 'BLACKRED V', enabling earlier harvest in late June while preserving fruit quality attributes including sweetness, firmness, and flavor.
3Ease of operation
If self-fruitful varieties are used, then pollination is simplified, but genetic diversity and fruit quality improvement are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the inversion principle by deliberately selecting self-unfruitfulness in the new variety, which paradoxically improves fruit quality. The self-unfruitful characteristic of 'Blackred VI' requires cross-pollination from apricot, interspecific, or plum trees, ensuring genetic diversity and superior fruit qualities including enhanced sweetness, firmness, and flavor that would not be achievable with self-fruitful varieties.
4Quantity of substance
If fruit size is increased, then yield is improved, but shipping and storage quality may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction through parameter changes in the variety's fruit characteristics. 'Blackred VI' produces uniformly medium to large-sized fruit with improved firmness and texture that maintains quality for long-distance shipping and storage. The variety achieves a balance between size and shipping quality through its specific genetic parameters developed during breeding.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an interspecific tree and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a medium size, vigorous, hardy, and productive tree. Being self-unfruitful, the present variety requires cross pollination from an apricot, interspecific, or plum that blooms during the early season. The present variety produces a very heavy bloom with an abundance of pollen to entice good bee activity to facilitate pollination. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described during late June, with the first picking on Jun. 27, 2011. The fruit is uniformly medium to large in size, very dark red in skin color, clingstone in type, oblate in shape, full red in flesh color, firm in texture, and very good in flavor.