Maize Hybrid Breeding With Trait Stacking and Uniform F1 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 plant characteristics, which are crucial for commercial crop production.

Innovation Solution

A novel maize hybrid variety X11T098 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 utilizing cytoplasmic inheritance to enhance trait expression 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 trait diversity increases, but uniformity and stability of plant characteristics deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrait diversityVSAvoiduniformity of plant characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the breeding process into distinct stages: developing pure inbred lines with specific traits, then crossing them to produce uniform F1 hybrids. This segmentation allows trait diversity to be introduced through controlled crosses while maintaining uniformity within each hybrid generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary action by developing and stabilizing inbred parent lines before crossing. The inbred lines are prepared in advance with desired traits through multiple generations of selfing and selection, ensuring that when crossed, they produce uniform F1 hybrids with predictable characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If multiple traits are combined in a single hybrid, then agronomic quality improves, but complexity of the breeding process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveagronomic qualityVSAvoidbreeding process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by developing inbred lines that serve multiple functions: they can be used as parents for hybrid production, as maintainers for male-sterile lines, or as restorers for fertility. This multi-functionality reduces breeding complexity by reusing the same genetic materials for different purposes.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses male-sterile lines as intermediaries to facilitate hybrid production. The male-sterile line acts as a mediator that automatically prevents self-pollination and ensures cross-pollination with pollinator lines, simplifying the breeding process by eliminating the need for manual detasseling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If mechanical harvesting is implemented, then productivity increases, but requirements for uniformity of plant characteristics increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveharvest efficiencyVSAvoiduniformity of plant characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by ensuring uniformity in specific traits that are critical for mechanical harvesting, such as plant height, ear position, and maturity timing, while allowing variation in other traits. This targeted approach to uniformity satisfies mechanical harvesting requirements without compromising overall genetic diversity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes by selecting for specific phenotypic parameters that facilitate mechanical harvesting, such as uniform plant height, consistent ear position, and synchronized maturity. These parameter changes are achieved through selective breeding of inbred lines with desirable uniformity traits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12478019B1Maize hybrid X11T098
Publication Date: 2025.11.25 PIONEER HI BREED INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A novel maize variety designated X11T098 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 X11T098 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X11T098 through backcrossing or genetic transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby are described. Maize variety X11T098, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X11T098 are provided. Methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X11T098 and methods of using maize variety X11T098 are disclosed.