Flavor May Interspecific Prunus Tree Breeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interspecific tree varieties lack a combination of desirable traits such as early maturity, red flesh, and balanced flavor, along with robust growth and disease resistance, which are essential for commercial success in stone fruit production.
Innovation Solution
The development of the 'FLAVOR MAY' interspecific tree variety, which is asexually reproduced using 'Bella Jewel' and '29MC594' as parents, and budded onto 'Nemaguard' Rootstock, resulting in a vigorous, upright tree with medium-sized, clingstone fruit that is 45 days earlier in maturity than its seed parent and has a unique red flesh and attractive dark red skin, offering improved flavor and eating quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing intersific tree varieties are used, then commercial production can proceed with available options, but the varieties lack a combination of desirable traits including early maturity, red flesh, and balanced flavor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite breeding by crossing two different intersific varieties ('Bella Jewel' and '29MC594') to create a new variety that combines multiple desirable traits including early maturity, red flesh color, and balanced flavor, similar to how composite materials combine different materials to achieve superior properties
2Productivity
If the seed parent '55MM189' is used for fruit production, then genetic diversity is maintained, but the fruit maturity is delayed by 45 days compared to the new variety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves earlier fruit maturity by changing genetic parameters through selective breeding and crossing, resulting in a variety that matures 45 days earlier than its seed parent while maintaining other desirable characteristics
3Strength
If vigorous growth is achieved through asexual reproduction on 'Nemaguard' Rootstock, then tree vigor and upright growth are improved, but the complexity of propagation procedures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses 'Nemaguard' rootstock as an intermediary to propagate the new variety, where the rootstock serves as a mediator that imparts vigorous growth and upright habits to the grafted scion, separating the rooting function from the fruit-bearing function
Data Source
AI summary
A new and distinct variety of interspecific Prunus 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 having a vigorous, upright growth habit.2. Tree being a regular and productive bearer of medium size fruit.3. Fruit with a high degree of attractive dark red skin color.4. Fruit with very good flavor and eating quality.5. Fruit with good storage and shipping ability.