IFG Cher-four Cherry Tree Adaptation to Low Chilling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sweet cherry trees traditionally require long cold winters and cool summers, limiting their growth and fruit production in regions with low winter chilling and high summer temperatures, resulting in unmarketable double or spurred fruit.

Innovation Solution

The development of the 'IFG Cher-four' sweet cherry tree, which has a low chilling requirement of 300 to 400 chill hours, produces medium-sized blushed fruits with good flavor, is tolerant of rain-induced cracking, and ripens earlier than traditional varieties, reducing the occurrence of double or spurred fruits in high summer temperature regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional sweet cherry varieties are grown in regions with low winter chilling and high summer temperatures, then the trees can be cultivated in these regions, but they produce unmarketable double or spurred fruit and have limited growth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to low winter chilling and high summer temperature regionsVSAvoidfruit quality (avoidance of double or spurred fruit)

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by developing a cherry variety with modified chilling requirements. The 'IFG Cher-four' variety requires only 300-400 chill hours compared to 700+ chill hours for traditional varieties, and produces fewer double or spurred fruits in high summer temperature regions, thereby changing the physiological parameters to adapt to new environmental conditions while maintaining fruit quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If traditional sweet cherry varieties are grown in traditional regions, then they produce marketable fruit, but the seasonality is limited and fruit availability is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefruit quality and marketabilityVSAvoidfruit seasonality and availability duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by developing a cherry variety that ripens earlier in the season. The 'IFG Cher-four' variety ripens in early season before traditional varieties, extending the overall cherry availability period. This early ripening allows fruit to be produced and harvested before the traditional season begins, thereby extending the duration of cherry availability in the market

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If sweet cherry trees are grown in high summer temperature regions, then they can be cultivated in these areas, but they produce double or spurred fruit that is unmarketable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to high summer temperature regionsVSAvoidfruit shape and type (avoidance of double or spurred fruit)

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selecting and propagating a variety with genetically modified responses to high summer temperatures. The 'IFG Cher-four' variety maintains proper fruit development and shape in high summer temperature regions where traditional varieties produce double or spurred fruit, effectively changing the thermal response parameters of the cherry tree

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUSPP30704P3Sweet cherry tree named ‘IFG Cher-four’

Publication Date: 2019.07.16 BLOOM FRESH INT LTD

AI summary

This invention is a new and distinct sweet cherry tree denominated ‘IFG Cher-four’. The new sweet cherry tree is characterized by producing medium size blushed fruits having flat-round shape. Fruits ripen early, about Apr. 26, 2014 in Delano Calif. The ‘IFG Cher-four’ has medium firm, medium acid fruit with a good cherry flavor. Fruits are tolerant of rain induced cracking. The sweet cherry tree has a medium low chilling requirement, about 300 to 400 chill hours.