Cercis NC2016-2 Redbud Foliage Color and Growth Habit

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a new variety of Cercis canadensis eastern redbud plant that combines attractive foliage color change, semi-weeping growth habit, and moderately vigorous vegetation, which is not currently met by existing varieties.

Innovation Solution

A new cultivar, 'NC2016-2', was developed through a controlled hybrid cross between an unnamed seedling and 'JN2', exhibiting purple-colored emerging foliage that matures to gold, a semi-weeping growth habit, and stable asexual propagation characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a hybrid cross is performed to combine desirable traits from different parent plants, then the desired characteristics (foliage color change, growth habit) are achieved, but the complexity of the breeding program increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombination of desirable traitsVSAvoidbreeding program complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines desirable traits from two different parent plants (unnamed seedling with weeping habit and purple foliage, and 'JN2' with golden-orange foliage) through controlled hybrid cross. The resulting cultivar 'NC2016-2' merges these characteristics to produce emerging purple foliage that matures to gold, with a semi-weeping growth habit, thus achieving trait combination through biological merging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If selective breeding is conducted to identify plants with specific characteristics, then the desired foliage color and growth habit are obtained, but the time required for development increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoliage color accuracyVSAvoidbreeding development time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs preliminary selection of parent plants with known desirable characteristics (purple foliage and weeping habit from unnamed seedling, golden-orange foliage from 'JN2') before performing the hybrid cross. This preliminary characterization of parents accelerates the breeding process by ensuring the desired traits are present in the parental generation, reducing the time needed for subsequent selection and refinement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If a new cultivar is developed with unique foliage color characteristics, then ornamental value is enhanced, but the difficulty of propagation may increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveornamental valueVSAvoidpropagation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes chip budding, a simple and efficient asexual propagation method, to reproduce cultivar 'NC2016-2'. This technique allows for easy propagation of the unique foliage color traits without the complexity of seed propagation, enabling widespread cultivation of the ornamental cultivar through a straightforward, cost-effective vegetative propagation approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUSPP31260P2<i>Cercis </i>plant named ‘NC2016-2’

Publication Date: 2019.12.24 POULTON INNOVATION CENT

AI summary

A new and distinct variety of Cercis canadensis eastern redbud plant, herein referred to by its cultivar name, ‘NC2016-2’, is provided which forms emerging purple colored foliage that matures to gold colored foliage. The new variety provides vegetation that is moderately vigorous and the growth habit is semi-weeping. The new variety is well suited for providing attractive ornamentation in the landscape.