Compact Gene Cucumber Plants for High-Density Cultivation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cucumber cultivation methods are labor-intensive and costly, with existing varieties not suitable for high-wire cultivation due to rapid growth and long internodes, leading to inefficiencies in fruit yield and labor requirements.
Innovation Solution
Development of cucumber plants with the compact gene, which confers characteristics such as shorter internodes, smaller leaves, and a slower growth rate, allowing for higher plant density and improved suitability for high-wire cultivation and mechanical harvesting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional cucumber varieties are used for cultivation, then rapid growth and long internodes are achieved, but labor intensity increases and suitability for high-wire cultivation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the genetic parameters of the cucumber plant through the compact gene. This gene alters key growth parameters including internode length, leaf size, and growth rate, transforming the plant from a conventional variety with long internodes and rapid growth to a compact variety with shorter internodes and moderated growth rate. This genetic parameter modification enables high-wire cultivation without excessive labor intensity.
2Length of stationary object
If conventional cucumber varieties with long internodes are cultivated, then plant structure is maintained, but plant density decreases and fruit yield per area reduces
Solution Approach 1:
The compact gene modifies the internode length parameter, reducing it from conventional lengths to shorter internodes. This parameter change allows more plants to be cultivated per unit area (higher plant density), which directly increases the total fruit yield per area despite each individual plant being slightly more compact.
3Shape
If conventional cucumber varieties are used, then standard plant structure is maintained, but suitability for mechanical harvesting decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes multiple structural parameters simultaneously through the compact gene: internode length is shortened, leaf size is reduced, and overall plant architecture is modified. These parameter changes create a more open and compact plant structure that is mechanically accessible, enabling effective mechanical harvesting while maintaining a viable plant structure for support and fruit production.
4Productivity
If high plant density is implemented, then fruit yield per area increases, but labor intensity for cultivation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compact gene creates a plant with shorter internodes and smaller leaves, which modifies the spatial occupation of each plant. This parameter change allows higher plant density to be implemented without proportionally increasing labor intensity, because the compact structure reduces the time and effort required for cultivation operations such as pruning, harvesting, and maintenance.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to the breeding of cucumbers, and especially to a new cucumber plant with a valuable new characteristic. This new characteristic leads to an improvement in the growth properties and so to a simplification and improvement of cucumber cultivation. Seeds according to the invention and methods for introducing the new characteristic into other cucumber plants are also covered. Self-pollination and cross-pollination of the plants according to the invention are described, as well as the production of doubled haploids from these plants.