Celery Septoria Resistance Breeding Using Molecular Markers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Celery and celeriac crops are susceptible to the pathogen Septoria apiicola, leading to reduced yield and quality, and current breeding methods have not resulted in commercially available varieties with improved resistance.

Innovation Solution

Development of Apium graveolens plants with genomically encoded resistance to Septoria apiicola, utilizing specific molecular markers and a breeding program to introduce resistance from source deposit NCIMB 42711, and creation of hybrid celery or celeriac with enhanced tolerance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional breeding methods are used to develop celery varieties, then cultivation practices can be maintained, but resistance to Septoria apiicola is not improved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to Septoria apiicolaVSAvoidyield and quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by identifying and selecting plants with resistance to Septoria apiicola before widespread disease occurrence, using molecular markers to detect resistance genes early in the breeding process. This allows resistant varieties to be developed and deployed before the pathogen causes significant yield loss, preventing rather than reacting to the problem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical breeding methods (crossing, selection, and field testing) with a molecular marker-based selection system. Instead of relying on phenotypic observation and traditional breeding cycles, the invention uses DNA markers to identify and select resistant plants, accelerating the breeding process and improving reliability of resistance selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If fungicides are applied to control Septoria apiicola, then disease symptoms are reduced, but environmental and health concerns increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisease symptomsVSAvoidfungicide residues and environmental impact
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of Septoria apiicola into a beneficial selection pressure by using the pathogen itself (or its spores) to identify resistant plants. By exposing celery plants to the fungus and selecting those that remain healthy, the invention transforms a disease problem into a tool for developing resistant varieties, ultimately reducing the need for chemical fungicides.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables plants to protect themselves against Septoria apiicola through naturally occurring resistance genes. By selecting and propagating plants with inherent genetic resistance, the invention allows the crop to defend itself without external chemical intervention, eliminating the need for fungicide application while maintaining disease control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If modern cultivars with high uniformity are grown, then harvesting efficiency is improved, but susceptibility to Septoria apiicola increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveharvesting efficiencyVSAvoidsusceptibility to Septoria apiicola
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by introducing resistance genes into specific celery cultivars while maintaining their overall uniformity and commercial characteristics. Instead of changing the entire crop system, the invention selectively breeds resistance into the existing uniform cultivars, preserving harvesting efficiency while adding the localized trait of disease resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3589115B1Septoria resistance in celery
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 BEJO ZADEN BV
  • EP3589115B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3589115B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3589115B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to Apium graveolens plants being resistant to one or more genomically encoded resistances to the plant pathogen Septoria apiicola. Specifically the present invention relates to Apium graveolens plants wherein at least one genomically encoded resistance to the plant pathogen Septoria apiicola is the genomically encoded resistance to the plant pathogen Septoria apiicola as present in deposit NCIMB 42711. The present invention further relates to hybrids containing the present Septoria apiicola resistance and agents, as molecular markers, suitable for detecting the present invention.