Dancing Wind Andropogon gerardii Cultivar Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a more compact and uniquely colored variant of Andropogon gerardii with stable reproductive characteristics, as existing cultivars like 'Indian Warrior' and 'Red Bull' exhibit taller growth habits and variable foliage colors.
Innovation Solution
The development of the 'Dancing Wind' cultivar, which is a seedling of Andropogon gerardii 'Indian Warrior', characterized by a more upright growth habit, yellow-green foliage with red tips and joints, and a uniform scarlet fall color, achieved through vegetative division and maintained in over 1200 reproductions, offering a distinct and stable alternative.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If vegetative division propagation is used, then uniformity and stability of height and foliage color are improved, but time and resources for extensive propagation are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary selection and characterization of the parent plant 'Indian Warrior' with specific traits (height 150-180 cm, green foliage N77A-137A). By establishing a well-characterized parent plant before propagation, the patent ensures that all subsequent vegetative divisions will inherit these stable traits, reducing the need for extensive screening time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses vegetative division to create exact genetic copies of the parent plant. Each division is a clone that precisely replicates the parent's height range and foliage color characteristics. This copying mechanism guarantees uniformity across all propagated plants without requiring individual selection of each new plant.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a new cultivar with distinct characteristics is developed, then aesthetic appeal and market differentiation are improved, but complexity of breeding and selection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a cultivar with specific localized color variations - yellow-green foliage (N144A-183D) with red tips and joints, and scarlet fall color (183D). Rather than changing the entire plant uniformly, the breeding focused on specific local characteristics (foliage base color, tip color, joint color, fall color) to achieve market differentiation while maintaining a manageable breeding process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves cultivar differentiation by changing specific color parameters of the foliage. The 'Dancing Wind' cultivar differs from its parent primarily in foliage color parameters (yellow-green with red tips versus green), height parameter (140-170 cm versus 150-180 cm), and fall color intensity (scarlet 183D versus variable). These parameter changes create market differentiation without requiring complex multi-trait breeding.
Data Source
AI summary
A new, distinct Andropogon gerardii plant as shown and described, characterized by a more upright plant with a height of 140-170 cm, yellow-green colored foliage with red tips and joints, and red fall color that turns scarlet, compared to parent plant.