Strawberry Plant DILIGENT Breeding for Compact Habit and Large Fruit

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a strawberry variety that is well-suited to the climate and growing conditions of the central coast of California, with specific traits such as large fruit size, early fruit production, and a compact plant habit, which are not adequately met by existing varieties.

Innovation Solution

The development of the strawberry variety 'DILIGENT', which is a result of a controlled cross between 'BG-959' and 'BG-2010', exhibiting unique characteristics like large fruit size, small calyx, early fruiting, medium to small plant size, and short fruiting trusses held above the plant, adapted to the central coast of California's climate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a strawberry variety is bred for large fruit size, then fruit yield is improved, but plant size tends to increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefruit sizeVSAvoidplant size

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The breeding program focused on achieving large fruit size specifically in the fruiting trusses while maintaining a compact overall plant habit. This localized optimization allowed 'DILIGENT' to produce large berries without proportionally increasing the entire plant's volume, resolving the contradiction between fruit size and plant size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of time

If a strawberry variety is bred for early fruit production, then harvest time is improved, but plant vigor may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefruit production timingVSAvoidplant vigor

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The variety was selected and bred to initiate fruit production earlier in the season through preliminary developmental programming. 'DILIGENT' was chosen for its ability to break dormancy and begin fruiting before later-maturing varieties, achieving early harvest without sacrificing ultimate plant vigor or total yield potential.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Volume of moving object

If a strawberry variety is bred for compact plant habit, then space utilization is improved, but fruiting truss visibility may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplant sizeVSAvoidtruss position

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The breeding program achieved compact plant dimensions in the horizontal plane while elevating the fruiting trusses to a higher vertical dimension. 'DILIGENT' produces a compact basal rosette but raises its fruiting trusses above the foliage canopy, maintaining space efficiency while ensuring excellent fruit visibility and accessibility for harvest.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUSPP27441P3Strawberry plant named ‘diligent’

Publication Date: 2016.12.06 BERRY GENETICS INC

AI summary

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DILIGENT’. This new strawberry plant named ‘DILIGENT’ is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the central coast of California, and is primarily characterized by its large fruit size, small calyx, early fruit production, medium to small plant size, fruiting trusses held above the plant, and short fruiting trusses.