Glensweet II Cherry Tree Early Ripening and Fruit Quality
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a new cherry tree variety that is self-unfruitful, productive, and capable of producing larger, sweeter, and crack-resistant cherries with earlier ripening and improved color characteristics, which existing cherry tree varieties do not adequately address.
Innovation Solution
The development of the 'Glensweet II' cherry tree variety, which is a cross between 'Glenred' and another cherry tree, utilizing 'Colt' rootstock, resulting in a tree that blooms early, produces larger, yellow-fleshed, red-and-yellow-skinned cherries that are sub-acidic and sweeter, with a longer stem attachment, and is compatible with commercial orchard conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing cherry tree varieties are used, then they produce fruit with traditional characteristics, but they do not produce larger, sweeter, or earlier-ripening cherries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by creating a new cherry variety with modified genetic parameters that result in earlier ripening (5-7 days earlier than 'Glencrest'), larger fruit size (1.5-2 times larger), and altered flavor composition (sweeter, sub-acidic). This resolves the contradiction by changing the inherent parameters of the cherry tree to achieve both improved productivity and reduced ripening time.
2Productivity
If cherry varieties with traditional skin color are used, then they have uniform red skin, but they lack the attractive two-tone appearance and yellow flesh color
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct color zones in different parts of the cherry fruit. The skin exhibits a two-tone pattern with red coloration over a yellow background, while the flesh is uniformly yellow. This spatial differentiation of color properties enhances market appeal without compromising the structural simplicity of the fruit.
3Reliability
If cherry varieties with shorter stems are used, then the fruit is more compact, but the stem attachment is weaker and more prone to detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by ensuring the stem is strongly attached to the fruit during the development phase, creating a robust connection before the fruit is subjected to handling and shipping stresses. The stem length is specifically optimized to provide both adequate attachment strength and sufficient length for handling, resolving the contradiction between attachment reliability and stem length.
4Productivity
If cherry varieties that are self-fruitful are used, then they can produce fruit without cross-pollination, but they do not achieve the same level of productivity and fruit quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by using cross-pollination as a mediator to achieve superior fruit quality and productivity. The variety is designed to work optimally with specific pollinators, where the pollination process itself becomes an essential component of achieving the desired fruit characteristics, rather than attempting self-sufficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cherry tree, Prunus avium, and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a medium size, vigorous, hardy, self-unfruitful, and productive tree. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in early to mid May, with first picking on May 9, 2017. The fruit is uniformly large in size, sweet and sub-acidic in flavor, oblate in shape, semi-freestone in type, firm in texture, mostly yellow in flesh color, and red and yellow in skin color. The stem is long and is strongly attached to the fruit.