Coreopsis URITW02 Dwarf Cultivar Gamma Mutation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for new hybrid Coreopsis cultivars with unique flower colors and a dwarf plant habit, as existing cultivars either lack desired color variations or have unsuitable growth characteristics for landscape and container use.
Innovation Solution
The development of the Coreopsis 'URITW02' cultivar, which arose from gamma radiation of un-rooted cuttings of 'URITW01', exhibiting pink ray florets, a dwarf plant habit, and specific bract characteristics, achieved through asexual propagation by stem cuttings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If gamma radiation is applied to un-rooted cuttings to create mutation, then unique flower colors and dwarf plant habit are achieved, but stability of characteristics across generations must be verified
Solution Approach 1:
Gamma radiation was applied to induce genetic mutations in un-rooted cuttings, changing the genetic parameters to produce unique flower colors (pink instead of crimson red) and dwarf plant habit. This parameter change approach allowed the creation of novel phenotypes with stable inheritance patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
Un-rooted cuttings were used as disposable material for radiation treatment. These cuttings served as a temporary, inexpensive substrate to induce mutations, which were then propagated through asexual propagation to establish stable cultivars.
2Reliability
If asexual propagation by stem cuttings is used, then stable and true-to-type reproduction is achieved, but time for propagation must be considered
Solution Approach 1:
Rooting hormone treatment was applied preliminarily to stem cuttings to accelerate root initiation. This preliminary action reduced the propagation time from what would be a natural, slower process to a controlled, accelerated process while maintaining genetic fidelity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dwarf plant habit is selected, then suitability for container use is improved, but plant height and spread are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Through gamma radiation-induced mutation and subsequent selection, the plant height parameter was changed to produce a dwarf habit (22.4 cm height compared to 50% taller parent and commercial cultivars). This parameter change enabled container suitability while maintaining the core ornamental characteristics.
4Adaptability or versatility
If unique flower colors are developed, then ornamental value is improved, but differentiation from existing cultivars must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
Gamma radiation induced a color change mutation from crimson red to pink in the ray florets. This color change created a distinct ornamental characteristic that differentiates the new cultivar from its parent and commercial cultivars like 'Limerock Ruby', while maintaining the coreopsis flower form and structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Coreopsis 'URITW02' presents a stable and true-to-type reproduction of its unique traits, including small pink inflorescences and oblong to ovate involucral bracts, distinguishing it from other cultivars like 'Limerock Ruby' and 'URITW03', with improved growth characteristics suitable for landscape and container use.
Implementation Method 1
The new cultivar arose as a mutation using gamma radiation of un-rooted cuttings of 'URITW01' in January of 2011
Data Source
AI summary
A new cultivar of hybrid Coreopsis plant named, ‘URITW02’, that is characterized by its small inflorescences with ray florets that are that are pink in color, its dwarf plant habit, and its involucral bracts that are small in size and oblong to ovate in shape.