Double Flower Calibrachoa Breeding via Mutation and Tissue Culture

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

There is no established method for breeding Calibrachoa plants with double flowers, as all previous breeding programs and methods have only produced single-flowered varieties within the Calibrachoa genus.

Innovation Solution

The development of methods involving controlled crosses, interspecific hybridization, anther culture techniques, and induced mutation to produce Calibrachoa plants with double flowers, characterized by having more than five petals, through specific breeding processes and genetic manipulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional breeding methods are used, then single-flowered Calibrachoa varieties are produced, but double-flowered varieties cannot be obtained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflower type varietyVSAvoidbreeding method effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by inducing mutations through gamma radiation and chemical mutagens (EMS, NaN3) to alter the genetic parameters of Calibrachoa plants. This enables the transition from single-flowered to double-flowered phenotypes by changing the underlying genetic parameters that control flower development, thereby achieving flower type variety that conventional breeding could not produce.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses tissue culture as an intermediary technique to propagate and stabilize the double-flowered mutant plants. By using in vitro culture methods, the double-flowered trait can be selectively propagated and multiplied, serving as a bridge between the initial mutation event and the development of stable commercial varieties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If new breeding methods are developed to produce double flowers, then flower petal number increases, but breeding process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflower structureVSAvoidbreeding process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by first inducing mutations in a controlled manner using radiation and chemical agents, then screening for double-flowered phenotypes before proceeding to stabilization and propagation. This preliminary mutation and selection phase simplifies the overall breeding process by establishing the desired trait early, rather than attempting complex multi-generational crosses to achieve the same result.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical breeding methods (manual cross-pollination, selective breeding over multiple generations) with mutation induction techniques and tissue culture methods. This substitution reduces the time and complexity of the breeding process by directly inducing the desired phenotype and using in vitro methods for rapid propagation, rather than relying on lengthy conventional breeding cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS7786342B2Double flower Calibrachoa breeding methods and plants produced therefrom

Publication Date: 2010.08.31 KLEMM & SOHN GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A method for breeding double flower Calibrachoa sp. plants using controlled crosses of selected parent plants is disclosed. The invention additionally relates to methods for breeding double flower Calibrachoa plants using anther culture and induced mutation techniques. Finally, the invention relates to new Calibrachoa plants produced by the described methods and characterized by their unique double flowers.