Hybrid Maize Breeding for Trait Stacking and Uniform Stability

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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 X14T116 is developed by crossing two inbred varieties, incorporating genetic loci for traits like male sterility, disease resistance, and herbicide tolerance through backcrossing and transformation, and introducing cytoplasmically-inherited traits to enhance hybrid performance.

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 may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombination of desirable traitsVSAvoiduniformity and stability of hybrid
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 the F1 hybrid, and then producing F1 hybrids through controlled crossing. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, combining multiple desirable traits while maintaining uniformity through the F1 hybrid mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by developing and stabilizing inbred lines before creating the final hybrid. The inbred lines are prepared in advance with specific desirable traits through repeated selfing and selection, ensuring genetic uniformity is established before the hybridization step, thus maintaining stability while combining traits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If multiple inbred varieties are crossed to combine desirable traits, then the agronomic quality and yield improve, but the time and resources required for hybrid development increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveyield and agronomic qualityVSAvoidtime for hybrid development
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary development of inbred lines with specific desirable traits before creating the final hybrid. By preparing the parent inbred lines in advance with selected traits for disease resistance, heat tolerance, drought tolerance, and yield characteristics, the actual hybridization process is accelerated while maintaining high productivity outcomes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the genetic parameters of the parent inbred lines through selective breeding and genetic modification to optimize for desirable traits. By adjusting the genetic composition of the parent lines to contain specific resistance and yield genes, the F1 hybrid achieves superior productivity without requiring extensive development time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If inbred lines are used as parents to produce F1 hybrid, then uniformity of plant characteristics is achieved, but the genetic diversity may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of plant characteristicsVSAvoidgenetic diversity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the genetic material into distinct inbred lines, each carrying specific desirable traits. By dividing the genetic diversity into separate, well-characterized inbred parent lines and then combining them through controlled crossing, the F1 hybrid achieves uniformity in plant characteristics while the underlying genetic diversity is preserved in the parent lines and expressed in the hybrid.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite genetic structure by combining multiple inbred lines with different desirable traits. The F1 hybrid acts as a composite of the parent lines' genetic material, achieving uniformity in phenotypic expression while maintaining the genetic diversity of the constituent parent lines, similar to how composite materials combine different properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS12532836B1Maize hybrid X14T116
Publication Date: 2026.01.27 PIONEER HI BREED INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A novel maize variety designated X14T116 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 X14T116 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X14T116 through backcrossing or genetic transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby are described. Maize variety X14T116, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X14T116 are provided. Methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X14T116 and methods of using maize variety X14T116 are disclosed.