G.484 Apple Rootstock Combining Dwarfing and Disease Resistance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing apple tree rootstocks lack effective resistance to fire blight and crown rot, and often suffer from replant disease complex, which hinders early bearing and productivity in grafted scions.

Innovation Solution

The development of a dwarfing apple tree rootstock 'G.484', which is resistant to fire blight and crown rot, and tolerant to the replant disease complex, combining traits from Malus domestica and Malus robusta hybrids, allowing for clonal propagation and use as a rootstock or interstem, promoting early bearing and high productivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional apple tree rootstocks are used, then trees can be grown with standard vigor, but they lack effective resistance to fire blight and crown rot

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease resistanceVSAvoidfire blight and crown rot susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies hybridization between Malus domestica and Malus robusta to create a composite genetic material that combines desirable traits from both species. The resulting G.484 rootstock integrates fire blight resistance from M. robusta with the horticultural qualities of M. domestica, achieving both disease resistance and reliable scion performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If existing rootstocks are used, then trees may achieve standard growth, but they suffer from replant disease complex which hinders early bearing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveearly bearingVSAvoidreplant disease tolerance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of replant disease susceptibility into a beneficial trait by selecting and breeding rootstocks that are specifically tolerant to replant disease complex. The G.484 rootstock was developed through controlled exposure to Phytophthora cactorum, selecting survivors that exhibit enhanced tolerance, thereby transforming a previously harmful environmental factor into a selected resistance trait.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If non-dwarfing rootstocks are used, then trees achieve full size growth, but they do not promote early bearing or high productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveyield efficiencyVSAvoidtree size

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the natural parameter variation in Malus robusta, which exhibits a range of vigor levels from dwarfing to semi-dwarfing to standard. By selecting specific hybrids within this species and crossing them with M. domestica, the breeder can adjust the vigor parameter of the resulting rootstock to achieve the desired balance between tree size and productivity. The G.484 rootstock represents a specific parameter setting that optimizes both dwarfing effect and early bearing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUSPP35046P2Apple tree rootstock named ‘G.484’

Publication Date: 2023.03.21 THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

AI summary

A new and distinct variety of apple tree rootstock Malus hybrid ‘G.484’ is described herein. The new variety is a dwarfing, precocious and productive rootstock that is resistant to fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) and crown rot (Phytophthora cactorum). The ‘G.484’ rootstock is useful in that it can be propagated clonally and used as a rootstock or root system for apple trees as well as for interstems of apple trees.