Maize Inbred PH40PT Breeding via Segmentation and Feedback

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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 single variety that is agronomically sound across different conditions and environments.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of the novel maize variety PH40PT, which involves crossing with another maize plant 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 confer specific traits, and the production of hybrid seeds and plants with enhanced physiological and morphological characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional maize breeding methods are used to combine desirable traits, then disease resistance and yield improvement can be achieved, but the development process takes six to twelve years which is excessively time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisease resistanceVSAvoidbreeding development time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs preliminary action by using male sterile lines and controlled pollination systems to pre-establish genetic combinations before field testing. The breeding program pre-screens for desirable traits using marker-assisted selection and controlled crosses, allowing multiple trait combinations to be prepared in advance rather than developing them sequentially through traditional multi-year field trials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

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

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

Solution Approach 1:

The breeding program segments the complex task of combining multiple traits by using separate inbred lines, each optimized for specific traits (e.g., one line for disease resistance, another for yield). These segmented genetic components are then systematically combined through controlled crosses. The patent also segments the breeding process into distinct phases: parent line development, hybrid combination, and performance evaluation, managing complexity through structured division of the overall program.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional crossing and selection methods are used, then genetic diversity can be achieved, but the process lacks precision in selecting and combining specific desirable traits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegenetic diversityVSAvoidtrait selection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms through marker-assisted selection and performance evaluation systems. Genetic markers are used to provide real-time feedback on the presence of desirable traits during the breeding process, allowing breeders to make informed selection decisions. Field performance data from previous generations feeds back into the breeding program to refine selection criteria and improve the precision of combining specific traits in subsequent crosses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10356998B1Maize inbred PH40PT
Publication Date: 2019.07.23 PIONEER HI BREED INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A novel maize variety designated PH40PT and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant comprise crossing maize variety PH40PT with another maize plant are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH40PT 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 PH40PT or a locus conversion of PH40PT with another maize variety.