Inbred Corn Line Breeding for Yield and Stress Resistance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing maize breeding methods struggle to develop inbred lines with improved traits such as increased water stress resistance, waxy starch, male sterility, modified carbohydrate metabolism, and disease resistance, which are essential for robust and vigorous hybrid plants adapted to specific regional challenges in the Corn Belt.

Innovation Solution

Development of maize varieties KDC5164, MIJ6800, and MFX7761, along with their derivatives and hybrids, incorporating additional traits like transgenes for herbicide resistance, disease resistance, and stress tolerance, achieved through backcross breeding and genetic marker-enhanced selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If inbred lines are developed through traditional breeding methods, then genetic uniformity and true breeding are achieved, but vigor and seed yield are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegenetic uniformityVSAvoidseed yield
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The breeding program segments the development process into distinct phases: initial cross-pollination to generate hybrid vigor, followed by controlled self-pollination over multiple generations to achieve homozygosity. This segmentation allows the program to capture hybrid vigor in the F1 generation while achieving genetic uniformity in subsequent inbred generations, resolving the contradiction between vigor and uniformity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The program performs preliminary cross-pollination between diverse parental lines before initiating the inbreeding process. This preliminary action introduces beneficial genetic variation and heterosis that enhances seed yield during the early generations of inbreeding, counteracting the typical vigor loss associated with inbred line development

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If inbred lines are developed through self-pollination for several generations, then homozygosity and uniform population are achieved, but plant vigor is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovehomozygosityVSAvoidplant vigor
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The program dynamically adjusts the inbreeding intensity by controlling the number of self-pollination generations and selecting optimal families for advancement. By modulating the pace and extent of inbreeding, the program maintains sufficient plant vigor while achieving the required degree of homozygosity for stable trait expression

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The program changes key parameters including selection intensity, population size, and generation interval during the inbreeding process. By adjusting these parameters, the program optimizes the balance between achieving homozygosity and maintaining plant vigor, allowing robust inbred lines to be developed without excessive vigor loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple desirable traits are combined in a single variety, then agronomic performance is improved, but breeding complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveagronomic performanceVSAvoidbreeding complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The breeding program develops inbred lines that serve multiple functions: they are used as parental lines for hybrid seed production, as test entries for evaluating trait combinations, and as sources of specific desirable traits. This multi-functionality justifies and manages the breeding complexity by maximizing the utility of each developed line across multiple objectives

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

Solution Approach 2:

The program uses intermediate breeding populations and test crosses as mediators between parental lines and final varieties. These intermediates allow for the systematic evaluation and combination of multiple traits before final variety release, managing complexity by breaking down the multi-trait development into manageable stages with clear selection criteria at each step

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12564154B2Variety corn line MFX7761
Publication Date: 2026.03.03 SYNGENTA CROP PROTECITON AG

AI summary

The present invention provides an inbred corn line designated KDC5164, MIJ6800, MFF7398, or MFX7761, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line KDC5164, MIJ6800, MFF7398, or MFX7761 with plants of another corn plant. The invention further encompasses all parts of inbred corn line KDC5164, MIJ6800, MFF7398, or MFX7761, including culturable cells. Additionally provided herein are methods for introducing transgenes into inbred corn line KDC5164, MIJ6800, MFF7398, or MFX7761, and plants produced according to these methods.