Maize Inbred PH2STC Breeding via Segmentation and Preliminary Action

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Solution Overview

Problem

The development of new maize varieties and hybrids is a time-consuming process, taking six to twelve years, and existing technologies face challenges in combining desirable traits such as disease resistance, drought tolerance, and high yield in a stable and agronomically sound manner.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of the novel maize variety PH2STC, which involves crossing with other maize plants to introduce traits like male sterility, disease resistance, and improved agronomic characteristics through backcross conversion, genetic manipulation, and transformation, along with the use of cytoplasmic or nuclear factors to prevent self-pollination and enhance hybrid seed production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional maize breeding methods are used to combine desirable traits, then stable high-yielding varieties can be developed, but the process takes six to twelve years which is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of varietyVSAvoidbreeding time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing a diverse panel of inbred lines with known genetic characteristics and desirable traits before the actual breeding program begins. This preliminary preparation of germplasm resources allows for more efficient trait combination in subsequent crossing operations, reducing the overall breeding timeline while maintaining variety stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If multiple desirable traits are combined in a single variety, then agronomic performance and yield are improved, but the complexity of the breeding program increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveyieldVSAvoidbreeding program complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the breeding program into distinct phases: first developing individual inbred lines with specific desirable traits, then systematically crossing these pre-characterized lines to combine multiple traits. This segmented approach to trait accumulation reduces program complexity compared to attempting to combine all traits simultaneously in a single undifferentiated breeding process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If self-pollination is prevented through male sterility, then hybrid seed production is enhanced, but additional genetic factors and mechanisms must be introduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehybrid seed productionVSAvoidgenetic mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by utilizing naturally occurring male sterility mechanisms inherent in certain maize inbred lines. Rather than introducing complex external genetic systems, the breeding program exploits the self-sterilizing property of specific inbreds to automatically prevent self-pollination and facilitate hybrid seed production, reducing the need for additional complex genetic factors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10827704B1Maize inbred PH2STC
Publication Date: 2020.11.10 PIONEER HI BREED INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A novel maize variety designated PH2STC and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant comprise crossing maize variety PH2STC with another maize plant are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH2STC through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby are provided. Hybrid maize seed, plants or plant parts are produced by crossing the variety PH2STC or a locus conversion of PH2STC with another maize variety.