Cytoplasmic Male Sterile Leek Plants via Garlic Mitochondrial Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing leek hybrid plants using nuclear male sterility are time-consuming, expensive, and prone to developmental disorders and disease transmission through vegetative propagation, while existing cytoplasmic male sterility methods are not well-established in leek plants.

Innovation Solution

Development of cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) leek plants using mitochondrial-encoded male sterility from garlic plants, specifically utilizing a garlic plant with deposit number NCIMB 41563, and a method involving crossing and backcrossing with leek plants to introduce and maintain cytoplasmic-encoded male sterility, combined with DNA analysis and hormone treatments to influence flowering and genomic composition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If nuclear male sterility is used for producing leek hybrid plants, then male sterility can be achieved, but the sterility is only inherited by some progeny requiring time-consuming and expensive vegetative propagation to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemale sterility inheritanceVSAvoidvegetative propagation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the genetic parameter from nuclear-encoded male sterility to cytoplasmic-encoded male sterility. This parameter change fundamentally alters the inheritance pattern from partial (nuclear) to complete (cytoplasmic) sterility transmission, eliminating the need for vegetative propagation to maintain sterility characteristics in progeny.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a cytoplasmic element (mitochondrial or chloroplast DNA) as an intermediary carrier of male sterility. This cytoplasmic intermediary replaces the nuclear genome's role in sterility inheritance, enabling complete transmission to all progeny without requiring vegetative propagation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If tissue culture is used for vegetative propagation of nuclear male sterile plants, then sterility can be maintained, but the method is time consuming and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterility maintenanceVSAvoidpropagation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the inheritance mechanism parameter from nuclear to cytoplasmic, which fundamentally improves propagation efficiency. Cytoplasmic male sterility is transmitted to all progeny through the female line, eliminating the need for time-consuming tissue culture propagation while maintaining sterility reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If other forms of vegetative propagation are used, then sterility can be maintained, but there is a serious risk for developmental disorders and spread of diseases and infections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterility maintenanceVSAvoiddevelopmental disorders and disease spread

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the genetic parameter to cytoplasmic-encoded male sterility, which allows maintenance of sterility through seed propagation rather than vegetative propagation. This parameter change eliminates the risks of developmental disorders and disease spread associated with vegetative propagation methods while maintaining sterility reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If cytoplasmic encoded male sterility is used, then sterility can be maintained in progeny without additional measures, but the method is not well-established in leek plants

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterility maintenance in progenyVSAvoidmethod establishment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by establishing cytoplasmic male sterility in leek plants through controlled crossing experiments. By first creating and characterizing the CMS line with known cytoplasmic inheritance, the patent lays the foundation for subsequent easy application and maintenance of sterility in progeny without additional measures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a cytoplasmic element (mitochondrial or chloroplast DNA) as an intermediary that carries the male sterility trait. This intermediary approach, once established through preliminary crossing, simplifies the maintenance of sterility in progeny as the cytoplasmic element is automatically transmitted through the female line without requiring additional selective measures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8987558B2Cytoplasmic male sterile leek plants, methods for the preparation and use thereof, and a cytoplasmic male sterile garlic plant

Publication Date: 2015.03.24 BEJO ZADEN BV

AI summary

The present invention relates to cytoplasmic male sterile leek (Allium ampeloprasum) plants comprising cytoplasmic encoded male sterility originating from garlic plant (Allium sativum L.) with deposit number NCIMB 41563. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for providing hereof. And the invention relates to use of the provided plant and of garlic for providing cytoplasmic encoded male sterility.