Hybrid Maize Breeding with Cytoplasmic Trait Inheritance Stability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hybrid maize development methods struggle to combine desirable traits such as disease resistance, heat and drought tolerance, and improved yield while maintaining uniformity and stability in commercial crops.

Innovation Solution

A novel maize hybrid variety X18T233 is developed by crossing inbred varieties and introducing genetic loci for traits like male sterility, disease resistance, and herbicide tolerance through backcrossing and transformation, with cytoplasmically-inherited traits ensuring trait inheritance and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional plant breeding methods are used to combine multiple desirable traits, then the complexity of the breeding process increases, but the uniformity and stability of the hybrid crop decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombination of desirable traitsVSAvoiduniformity and stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the breeding process into distinct stages: developing inbred lines with specific traits, creating F1 hybrids through controlled crossing, and maintaining uniformity through true-to-type seed production. This segmentation allows complex trait combinations to be achieved while preserving uniformity at each stage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by developing and stabilizing inbred parent lines before hybridization. The inbred lines are thoroughly characterized and purified through multiple generations of selfing and selection, ensuring that when crossed, they produce uniform F1 hybrids with predictable trait expression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple genetic loci are introduced through backcrossing and transformation, then the number of traits increases, but the complexity of the breeding process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of traitsVSAvoidcomplexity of the breeding process
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs universal breeding protocols that can handle multiple traits simultaneously. Standardized procedures for backcrossing, marker-assisted selection, and transformation are applied regardless of the number or type of traits being introduced, making the process scalable and manageable.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses inbred lines as intermediaries to facilitate trait introduction. Rather than directly breeding complex multi-trait varieties, desirable traits are first incorporated into inbred lines through backcrossing or transformation, then these standardized inbreds serve as parents for hybrid production, simplifying the overall process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If cytoplasmically-inherited traits are introduced for trait inheritance stability, then the reliability of trait inheritance improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrait inheritance stabilityVSAvoidbreeding system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent exploits cytoplasmic inheritance as a form of biological copying mechanism. Mitochondrial or chloroplast DNA from the maternal parent is copied and transmitted to all progeny, ensuring uniform inheritance of cytoplasmically-inherited traits without the need for nuclear gene segregation, thereby simplifying trait fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS12484527B1Maize hybrid X18T233
Publication Date: 2025.12.02 PIONEER HI BREED INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A novel maize variety designated X18T233 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are produced by crossing inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant by crossing hybrid maize variety X18T233 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X18T233 through backcrossing or genetic transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby are described. Maize variety X18T233, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X18T233 are provided. Methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X18T233 and methods of using maize variety X18T233 are disclosed.