Hunterdon Hazelnut Cultivar EFB Resistance Alleles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current Corylus avellana cultivars are susceptible to eastern filbert blight (EFB) caused by Anisogramma anomala, particularly in regions like the eastern US where the pathogen is endemic and genetically diverse, leading to significant disease pressure and limitations in commercial hazelnut cultivation.

Innovation Solution

The development of the 'Hunterdon' cultivar, resulting from a controlled cross between 'Sacajawea' and OSU 616.055, which exhibits high tolerance to EFB through quantitative resistance, characterized by the expression of incompatibility alleles S1 and S3, and stable asexual reproduction, offering improved resistance and adaptability to the disease.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current Corylus avellana cultivars are grown in regions with high EFB pressure, then productivity is maintained, but disease susceptibility increases leading to significant disease pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease toleranceVSAvoidEFB susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by introducing a new genetic parameter (incompatibility alleles S1 and S3) that fundamentally alters the plant's response to EFB. The 'Hunterdon' cultivar exhibits quantitative resistance through these specific S-alleles, changing the disease resistance parameter from susceptible to highly tolerant, with only 2.2% diseased wood compared to susceptible cultivars

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by combining genetic traits from two parent cultivars ('Sacajawea' and OSU 616.055) to create a composite genotype in 'Hunterdon'. This composite genetic structure integrates quantitative resistance mechanisms from both parents, resulting in superior EFB tolerance that neither parent exhibits alone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If susceptible cultivars are used in endemic regions, then commercial cultivation is limited, but disease pressure restricts productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommercial cultivation viabilityVSAvoiddisease pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of high EFB pressure in endemic regions into a benefit by developing 'Hunterdon' with quantitative resistance. The same high disease pressure that limits susceptible cultivars now serves to demonstrate and select for the superior resistance of 'Hunterdon', enabling productive cultivation in previously unsuitable regions

Inventive Principle:

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

3Reliability

If single dominant allele resistance (Gasaway type) is used, then protection is provided, but adaptability to genetically diverse pathogen populations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease protectionVSAvoidadaptability to pathogen diversity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the resistance parameter from qualitative (single dominant allele) to quantitative (multiple incompatibility alleles S1 and S3). This parameter change enables the cultivar to maintain protection across genetically diverse pathogen populations through horizontal resistance, rather than relying on a single resistance gene that may be overcome by pathogen evolution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUSPP32461P2Corylus plant named ‘Hunterdon’

Publication Date: 2020.11.17 THE STATE OF OREGON ACTING BY & THROUGH THE OREGON STATE BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION ON BEHALF OF OREGON STATE UNIV

AI summary

A new and distinct Corylus avellana plant named ‘Hunterdon’ characterized by a vigorous and upright growth habit, the production of nuts with globular kernels that fall free of the husk at maturity, and a high level of tolerance (quantitative resistance) to eastern filbert blight caused by the fungus Anisogramma anomala (Peck) E. Müller.