GO-BER-10 Clover Cold Tolerance and Yield

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current berseem clover varieties lack sufficient cold tolerance, which limits their growth and yield in colder climates, and there is a need for improved forage/nitrogen-fixing legumes due to escalating fertilizer prices and increased interest in cover crops.

Innovation Solution

Development of the clover variety GO-BER-10, which exhibits outstanding cold tolerance, high dry matter yields, and excellent seed production, capable of withstanding multiple cuttings and featuring improved shade tolerance, with crude protein levels ranging from 16.5% to 22.1% and a relative feed value of up to 182.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional berseem clover varieties are grown in colder climates, then they can provide forage and nitrogen fixation, but they suffer from insufficient cold tolerance leading to reduced growth and yield

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecold toleranceVSAvoidyield
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by developing a new clover variety (GO-BER-10) with genetically altered parameters that enable survival and productivity in colder temperature ranges. The variety exhibits specific morphological and physiological parameters including plant height of 40-60 cm, flowering period of 60-80 days, and crude protein content of 16.5-22.1% that allow it to thrive where conventional varieties fail.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If berseem clover is used as a cover crop or forage source, then it suppresses weeds and prevents erosion, but it dies when exposed to temperatures below 20°F for several days

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewinter survivalVSAvoidclimate adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a variety with specialized adaptations for cold climate regions. GO-BER-10 possesses specific local traits including a compact plant structure (40-60 cm height), extended flowering period (60-80 days), and enhanced protein content (16.5-22.1% crude protein) that are optimized for survival and productivity in colder zones where conventional berseem clover cannot thrive.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Temperature

If conventional clover varieties are cultivated to maintain cold tolerance, then they can survive winter conditions, but they produce reduced dry matter yields

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecold hardinessVSAvoiddry matter yield
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by developing a variety that dynamically adapts to seasonal temperature changes while maintaining high productivity. GO-BER-10 exhibits dynamic characteristics including a prolonged flowering period of 60-80 days that extends the productive season, and maintains crude protein content of 16.5-22.1% across varying environmental conditions, ensuring consistent dry matter production throughout the growing season regardless of temperature fluctuations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9706742B2Clover variety named GO-BER-10
Publication Date: 2017.07.18 GRASSLAND OREGON INC

AI summary

A clover cultivar, designated clover variety GO-BER-10, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of clover variety GO-BER-10, to the plants of clover variety GO-BER-10 and to methods for producing a clover plant by crossing the clover variety GO-BER-10 with itself or another clover cultivar. This invention also relates to clover cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from clover variety GO-BER-10, to methods for producing other clover cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from clover variety GO-BER-10 and to the clover plants, varieties, and their parts derived from the use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid clover seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing clover variety GO-BER-10 with another clover cultivar.