Glensweet I Cherry Tree Breeding for Fruit Quality and Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a new cherry tree variety that combines desirable traits such as vigor, productivity, and specific fruit characteristics like heart-shaped cherries with sub-acidic and sweet flavor, which are not adequately met by existing cherry tree varieties.
Innovation Solution
The development of the 'Glensweet I' cherry tree variety, which is a cross between 'Glenred' and an unknown pollen parent, characterized by its vigorous growth, self-unfruitfulness, and production of medium to large, heart-shaped, semi-freestone cherries with strong stem attachment, ripening about five days later than 'Glenred' and being less acidic in flavor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If existing cherry tree varieties are used, then productivity and vigor are maintained, but fruit characteristics such as heart-shaped cherries with sub-acidic and sweet flavor are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by creating a new cherry variety with modified genetic parameters that produce heart-shaped fruit with sub-acidic and sweet flavor profiles. The variety 'Glensweet I' represents a specific parameter configuration achieved through controlled crossing, distinguishing it from existing varieties through unique fruit shape and taste characteristics
2Reliability
If cherries are produced with strong stem attachment and cracking resistance, then shipping quality is improved, but fruit size and shape uniformity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by establishing a new parameter set where the variety produces uniformly medium to large heart-shaped cherries that simultaneously achieve strong stem attachment and cracking resistance. The controlled breeding process optimized multiple parameters together rather than independently
3Loss of time
If cherries ripen later in the season, then shipping and market timing are improved, but growing season duration and productivity may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses this timing contradiction by creating a variety with a specific ripening schedule that extends the harvest period to mid-May (approximately five days later than the seed parent 'Glenred'). This parameter change in ripening time provides improved market timing and shipping capabilities while the variety maintains vigorous growth and productivity characteristics
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 mid May, with first picking on May 17, 2017. The fruit is uniformly medium to large in size, sub-acidic and sweet in flavor, heart shaped, semi-freestone in type, firm in texture, red in flesh color, very dark red in skin color, and has a medium length stem that is strongly attached to the fruit.