CN B60 Apple Tree Breeding for Harvest Timing and Flesh Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing apple tree varieties, such as 'Honeycrisp', lack desirable traits like later harvesting date, higher flesh pressure, higher sugar content, lower juice pH, and resistance to browning, as well as susceptibility to bitter pit development during storage.
Innovation Solution
The development of a new apple tree variety, 'CN B60', which is bred from 'Honeycrisp' trees and exhibits a round, flatter fruit shape, later harvesting date, higher flesh pressure, higher sugar content, lower juice pH, and resistance to browning, achieved through asexual propagation and grafting onto EMLA 9 rootstock.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If 'Honeycrisp' apple tree variety is used, then early harvesting date is achieved, but lower flesh pressure, lower sugar content, higher juice pH, and susceptibility to browning are present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selectively breeding apple trees to modify specific physiological parameters including flesh pressure, sugar content, pH levels, and enzymatic activity. The 'CN B60' variety exhibits altered parameters compared to 'Honeycrisp' - specifically higher flesh pressure (18.7 psi vs 15.2 psi), higher Brix (14.1 vs 13.3), and reduced polyphenol oxidase activity that causes browning.
2Productivity
If 'Honeycrisp' apple tree variety is used, then good fruit productivity is achieved, but bitter pit development occurs during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable approach to quality control by using controlled atmosphere storage conditions specifically tailored for the 'CN B60' variety. The storage protocol (3.5% CO2, 96% N2, 0.5% O2 at 32°F for 6 months) acts as a temporary protective environment that prevents bitter pit development during the storage period, after which the fruit can be consumed before quality degradation occurs.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional apple varieties are used, then standard fruit characteristics are maintained, but resistance to browning and bitter pit is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/chemical preservation methods with a biological solution - the 'CN B60' apple variety inherently possesses reduced polyphenol oxidase enzyme activity, which is the primary catalyst for browning. This biological substitution eliminates the need for chemical antioxidants or rapid processing interventions to prevent browning, as the variety naturally resists the harmful oxidation process.
Data Source
AI summary
A new and distinct variety of apple tree (‘Malus Domestica’) and which has been denominated varietally as ‘CN B60’ and which produces an attractively colored apple which is mature for harvesting and shipment approximately September 19 under the ecological conditions prevailing near Ephrata, Wash.