Hybrid Corn Variety Breeding Using Marker Selection and Male Sterility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing corn breeding methods struggle to develop hybrids with uniformity and stability, incorporating desirable traits such as yield, disease resistance, and drought tolerance, while maintaining efficient hybrid production without physical emasculation.

Innovation Solution

The development of the hybrid corn variety CH010531, which includes genetic modifications for traits like male sterility, herbicide resistance, and disease resistance, achieved through backcrossing and genetic transformation techniques, ensuring uniformity and stability, and utilizing cytoplasmically inherited traits for male sterility and restorer genes for fertility restoration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If traditional breeding methods are used to combine desirable traits, then uniformity and stability are improved, but the time required and complexity of the breeding process increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveuniformityVSAvoidbreeding time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from traditional phenotypic selection to genotypic selection using molecular markers. This changes the selection parameter from observable traits to DNA-level characteristics, enabling earlier and more accurate identification of desired traits, thereby reducing breeding time while maintaining uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical breeding methods (manual crossing, phenotypic selection) with molecular breeding techniques (marker-assisted selection, genomic selection). This substitution accelerates the breeding process by enabling direct genetic analysis without waiting for phenotypic expression, thus reducing time loss while preserving stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple desirable traits are combined in a single hybrid variety, then the value and adaptability of the crop improve, but the complexity of the breeding program increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrait combinationVSAvoidbreeding program complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by developing a standardized molecular marker system that can identify multiple different traits (disease resistance, yield components, quality attributes) using the same technological platform. This multi-functional approach allows breeders to select for several traits simultaneously through a unified selection process, increasing adaptability without proportionally increasing program complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the complex trait combination problem into manageable genetic components by using individual molecular markers for specific traits. Each marker targets a particular gene or QTL, allowing breeders to independently track and select for each desired trait, then combine them systematically in hybrid development, thereby managing complexity while achieving multi-trait combinations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If extensive selection and cross-pollination are performed to achieve stable inbred plants, then the reliability of the hybrid variety improves, but the productivity of the breeding program decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehybrid variety stabilityVSAvoidbreeding efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing molecular marker analysis during early breeding stages (F2-F3 generations) rather than waiting for later generations. This advance genetic screening identifies promising lines early, allowing breeders to focus resources on selected candidates and discard inferior lines before extensive field testing, thereby maintaining reliability while improving breeding productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12610908B2Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH010531
Publication Date: 2026.04.28 MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC

AI summary

According to the disclosure, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid com variety designated CH010531. The disclosure thus relates to the plants, seeds, and tissue cultures of the variety CH010531, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH010531 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The disclosure further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH010531.