Hybrid Corn CH345220 Uniformity via Segmentation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Corn breeding techniques face challenges in developing uniform hybrid plants with desirable traits such as high yield, disease resistance, and uniformity, as existing methods often result in unpredictable performance due to genetic non-uniformity among hybrid plants.

Innovation Solution

The development of the hybrid corn variety CH345220, which incorporates genetic loci for traits like male sterility, herbicide resistance, and disease resistance, using cytoplasmic-male sterility and transgenic approaches to ensure consistent performance and uniformity, along with tissue culture methods for regenerating plants with specific characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional breeding methods are used to develop corn hybrids, then genetic diversity is achieved, but uniformity and predictability of performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegenetic diversityVSAvoiduniformity of hybrid plants
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The breeding program segments the development process into distinct phases: creating homozygous inbred lines through multiple generations of self-pollination, then crossing these standardized inbreds to produce uniform F1 hybrids. This segmentation ensures genetic diversity is captured in the inbred lines while maintaining uniformity in the final hybrid product.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the genetic state of parent plants (achieving homozygosity through self-pollination) and then utilizing the cross-pollination event to generate uniform heterozygous hybrids. This parameter transformation from homozygous parents to uniform heterozygous offspring resolves the contradiction between diversity and uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If multiple desirable traits are combined in corn breeding, then overall plant performance is improved, but breeding complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplant performance consistencyVSAvoidbreeding program complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple desirable traits by crossing inbred lines that each possess specific trait combinations. The F1 hybrid inherits and expresses the combined traits from both parents, achieving reliable multi-train performance while managing breeding complexity through systematic selection and crossing protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The breeding program develops inbred lines that serve multiple functions: they are both the source of genetic diversity and the standardized parents for producing uniform hybrids. This multi-functionality reduces overall program complexity by eliminating the need for separate systems for diversity generation and uniformity maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If self-pollination is used to create homozygous lines, then genetic uniformity of parent plants is achieved, but time to develop stable lines increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehomozygosity of inbred linesVSAvoidgenerations required for line stabilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by intentionally and systematically performing self-pollination over multiple generations before the crossing stage. This advance preparation of homozygous inbred lines ensures that when the actual hybridization occurs, the parents are genetically stabilized, reducing the need for additional generations of adjustment and selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8076554B2Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH345220
Publication Date: 2011.12.13 MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC

AI summary

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH345220. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH345220, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH345220 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH345220.