DrisBlueTwentyTwo Blueberry Breeding for Yield and Stability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for new, stable, high-yielding, and agronomically sound blueberry plant varieties that can reproduce true to type and exhibit desirable traits such as semi-upright growth habit, elliptic leaf shape, and early and high fruit production.

Innovation Solution

The development of the blueberry plant variety 'DrisBlueTwentyTwo', which was created by crossing proprietary plants '196H 3' and '7J301', and subsequently propagated via softwood cuttings and tissue culture, exhibiting semi-upright growth, elliptic leaves, and precocious fruiting on both one-year-old and current season's shoots with large, firm, and sweet fruit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If blueberry plants are bred for high yield and early fruiting, then productivity is improved, but stability and true-to-type reproduction may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefruit yieldVSAvoidstability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The breeding program segmented the selection process into multiple generations and testing phases (initial crossing, then multi-location trials over several years) to separately optimize for productivity traits while verifying stability through repeated observation across different environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The variety underwent preliminary extensive testing at multiple locations and over multiple years before commercial release to ensure both high yield performance and stable true-to-type reproduction, preventing later failures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If blueberry plants are selected for semi-upright growth habit and precocious fruiting, then ease of operation and productivity are improved, but adaptability to various growing conditions may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveearly fruit productionVSAvoidenvironmental adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The semi-upright growth habit was selected to create localized advantages in canopy structure and light penetration for improved fruit production, while the variety maintained sufficient genetic variability to adapt to different regional conditions through the multi-location breeding trials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If blueberry varieties are bred for large fruit size and firm texture, then marketability is improved, but susceptibility to abiotic stress and diseases may increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefruit firmnessVSAvoidpest and disease resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The breeding program optimized fruit parameters (size, firmness, sugar-acid balance) through selective crossing, while simultaneously monitoring and selecting for disease resistance traits, achieving a balanced phenotype that meets market requirements without excessive vulnerability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUSPP33066P2Blueberry plant named ‘DrisBlueTwentyTwo’

Publication Date: 2021.05.18 DRISCOLLS INC

AI summary

A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant named ‘DrisBlueTwentyTwo’ is disclosed. ‘DrisBlueTwentyTwo’ was selected as a strong evergreen blueberry variety with early and high yield. Fruit of ‘DrisBlueTwentyTwo’ are large, with balanced sugars and acids, firm crisp texture, and good bloom. Plants of ‘DrisBlueTwentyTwo’ are precocious and fruit on both one-year-old and current season's shoots.