Cherry Plum Breeding for Black Fruit and Semi-Open Tree Posture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cherry plum varieties lack distinct characteristics such as semi-open tree posture and black colored fruits with yellow flesh, which are desirable for specific agricultural and horticultural applications.

Innovation Solution

Development of a new cherry plum variety, 'Farmer 8-04', through seedling breeding and grafting, which exhibits a semi-open tree posture and black colored fruits with yellow flesh, differentiated from existing varieties like 'Farmer 6-10' and 'Farmer 3-01'.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If wild cherry plums are used for breeding, then genetic diversity and unique traits (black fruit skin, yellow flesh, semi-open posture) are achieved, but breeding time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefruit traits diversityVSAvoidbreeding time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by collecting and preserving wild cherry plum seeds from specific locations (Daxigou and Xiaoxigou, Huocheng County) before breeding. The seeds were collected in advance and stored for controlled germination and breeding experiments, allowing systematic development of the new variety over multiple years (1995-2007) rather than random breeding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by employing controlled pollination and grafting as intermediate steps between wild cherry plums and cultivated varieties. Scions from selected wild cherry plum seedlings were grafted onto cultivated cherry plum rootstocks, creating a bridge that combines wild traits with cultivated characteristics while managing breeding complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If selective breeding from wild cherry plums is performed, then unique fruit characteristics (black skin, yellow flesh) are obtained, but productivity and stress resistance require extensive screening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefruit characteristicsVSAvoidproductivity and stress resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by selecting specific individuals from the bred population that exhibit desired local traits. Among many seedlings, only those with the specific combination of black fruit skin, yellow flesh, semi-open tree posture, and good stress resistance were selected for further propagation as the 'Farmer 8-04' variety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback through systematic observation and comparison of breeding candidates over multiple years (2002-2006). Researchers monitored fruit characteristics, tree posture, stress resistance, and productivity, using this feedback to select the best individuals for propagation. The variety was confirmed after five years of repetitive investigation and comparison.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUSPP37227P2Cherry plum tree named ‘Farmer 8-04’

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 NATURAL MEDICINE INST OF ZHEJIANG YANGSHENGTANG

AI summary

The new cherry plum variety ‘Farmer 8-04’ is characterized by having a semi-open tree posture, and black colored, soft-textured fruits with yellow colored flesh.