Blueberry FC13-122: Upright Habit and Cold Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current northern highbush blueberry cultivars lack a variety with moderate vigor, upright growth habit, and exceptionally large, firm, and uniform fruit suitable for the hand harvest fresh fruit market, particularly with superior cold storage performance.
Innovation Solution
The development of the new blueberry plant variety 'FC13-122', which exhibits an upright growth habit, moderate vigor, very large and uniform fruit, high berry clusters, and excellent long-term cold storage performance, resulting from a cross between 'ZF06-050' and 'ZF06-013', selected for its high-quality fruit and adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If standard commercial blueberry varieties are used, then they have established market presence, but they lack very large, firm, and uniform fruit with superior cold storage performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting and breeding for specific fruit characteristics including very large size (22mm diameter), firm texture, and uniform appearance. The variety 'FC13-122' was developed with optimized parameters for fruit size, shape, and firmness that exceed standard commercial varieties, while simultaneously achieving superior cold storage performance through selective breeding
2Productivity
If blueberry varieties with high yield are selected, then productivity increases, but fruit quality and firmness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by changing the parameter set for both yield and firmness simultaneously. The variety 'FC13-122' was bred to produce high yields while maintaining very firm fruit texture, a combination not found in standard commercial varieties. The firmness parameter was optimized alongside yield parameters through selective breeding of parent varieties 'ZF06-050' and 'ZF06-013'
3Ease of operation
If blueberry varieties with upright growth habit are developed, then ease of harvest improves, but plant vigor and adaptability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting for upright growth habit while maintaining or improving cold hardiness. The variety 'FC13-122' exhibits an upright growth habit that facilitates hand harvesting, while simultaneously demonstrating sufficient cold hardiness for commercial production in suitable zones. This combination of upright habit and cold adaptability distinguishes it from parent varieties that had semi-spraying habits
Data Source
AI summary
The new blueberry plant variety ‘FC13-122’ is provided. ‘FC13-122’ is a commercial variety intended for the hand harvest fresh fruit market. The variety is produced from a cross of ‘ZF06-050’ (female parent, not patented) and ‘ZF06-013’ (male parent, not patented), which can be distinguished by its outstanding features.