Emerald Blush Interspecific Tree Fruit Trait Combination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing interspecific tree varieties lack a combination of desirable traits such as vigorous growth, regular fruit production, good flavor, and storage/shipping qualities, particularly in terms of skin color and maturity timing.

Innovation Solution

The development of the 'Emerald Blush' interspecific tree, a first-generation cross between Prunus salicina and Prunus persica, which exhibits large size, upright growth, regular fruiting, and medium-sized fruit with green/yellow skin, improved storage and shipping qualities, and earlier maturity compared to existing varieties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing interspecific tree varieties are used, then tree growth and fruit production are maintained at conventional levels, but the fruit lacks desirable combinations of traits such as skin color, maturity timing, and storage qualities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefruit trait combinationVSAvoidfruit production
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple desirable traits from different parent varieties into a single interspecific tree. The 'Emerald Blush' variety merges the vigorous growth and regular fruiting of Prunus salicina with the fruit quality and skin color characteristics of Prunus persica, creating a tree that simultaneously exhibits traits including green/yellow skin color, firm flesh, good flavor, and earlier maturity compared to existing varieties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent emphasizes specific local qualities of the fruit, particularly the green/yellow skin color and firm flesh texture, which distinguish this variety from conventional red-skinned interspecific fruits. These localized quality enhancements in specific fruit characteristics enable better marketability and storage properties while maintaining overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If fruit set and storage qualities are improved, then marketability increases, but tree size and vigor requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage and shipping qualitiesVSAvoidtree size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes parameter changes in the crossbreeding process to optimize the balance between tree size and fruit quality. By carefully selecting parent varieties with different genetic parameters and controlling the crossbreeding conditions, the resulting 'Emerald Blush' variety achieves improved storage and shipping qualities while maintaining manageable tree size through the specific combination of Prunus salicina and Prunus persica genetics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUSPP27293P3Interspecific tree named ‘Emerald Blush’
Publication Date: 2016.10.25 ZEE 5 LLC
  • USPP27293P3 patent drawing

AI summary

A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:1. Tree with vigorous, upright growth.2. Tree being a regular and productive bearer of medium size fruit.3. Fruit with very good flavor and eating quality.4. Fruit with an attractive green/yellow skin color.5. Fruit with good storage and shipping qualities.