Lavandula AGRI812 Plant Breeding for Extended Flowering Period
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for new and distinct Lavandula plants with a long flowering period and attractive plant form and flower coloration, which existing varieties do not adequately provide.
Innovation Solution
The development of a new Lavandula plant, 'AGRI812', through a planned breeding program, which combines desirable traits such as upright to outwardly spreading plant habit, freely branching and flowering, large dark violet-colored flowers, and a long flowering period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If existing Lavandula varieties are used, then they have established growth habits and basic flowering, but they do not provide sufficiently long flowering periods or attractive plant form and flower coloration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting and breeding plants with specific genetic parameters that extend the flowering period. The new variety 'AGRI812' exhibits a flowering period from April to September, achieved through selective breeding that modifies the temporal parameters of flower development and persistence while maintaining genomic stability through asexual reproduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by focusing on asexual reproduction through terminal cuttings to preserve and propagate the extended flowering period trait. This inversion of traditional seed-based propagation ensures that the unique phenotypic characteristics, including the long flowering period, are reproduced true to type without genetic variation.
2Shape
If new traits are combined in Lavandula plants, then attractive plant form and flower coloration are achieved, but the complexity of the breeding program increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple desirable traits including upright to outwardly spreading plant habit, freely branching growth habit, large dark violet-colored flowers, and purple-colored terminal flower bracts into a single unified variety. This consolidation of traits into one plant variety achieves attractive plant form while the use of asexual reproduction simplifies the propagation process compared to continued complex hybridization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by conducting the planned breeding program and selecting the superior plant in April 2016 before large-scale propagation. The preliminary breeding and selection work was completed in a controlled environment, allowing the unique characteristics to be established and then reproduced true to type through terminal cuttings taken since May 2016.
3Duration of action of moving object
If Lavandula plants are bred for long flowering period, then the flowering duration is extended, but the plant may lose other desirable characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simultaneously optimizes multiple parameters including flowering period duration, plant habit, flower color, and garden performance. The new variety 'AGRI812' was selected to exhibit not only an extended flowering period from April to September but also freely branching and flowering habits, good garden performance, and stability of unique features across successive generations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through careful observation and selection during the breeding program. The Inventor discovered and selected the new plant as a single flowering plant within the progeny, evaluating multiple characteristics including growth habit, flower color, and flowering period. This selective feedback ensures that plants with both long flowering periods and good garden performance are identified and propagated.
Data Source
AI summary
A new and distinct cultivar of Lavandula plant named ‘AGRI812’, characterized by its upright to outwardly and broadly spreading plant habit; freely branching growth habit; freely flowering habit; relatively large dark violet-colored flowers and purple-colored terminal flower bracts positioned on strong and erect peduncles; long flowering period; and good garden performance.