Maize Inbred PH416S Breeding Acceleration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The development of new maize varieties is a time-consuming process that takes six to twelve years, and there is a continuous need for stable, high-yielding maize varieties with improved traits such as disease resistance, drought tolerance, and better agronomic characteristics.

Innovation Solution

A novel maize variety, PH416S, is developed through careful breeding and selection, incorporating traits like male sterility, disease resistance, and improved agronomic characteristics, using techniques such as backcross conversion and genetic transformation, allowing for the creation of hybrid maize seeds with enhanced properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional maize breeding methods are used to develop new varieties with improved traits, then the desired traits such as disease resistance and yield improvement are 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 pre-selecting and characterizing inbred lines with specific desirable traits (such as disease resistance, yield potential, and stress tolerance) before initiating hybrid development programs. This advance preparation of germplasm with known trait profiles accelerates the breeding process by eliminating later-generation testing and selection time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes copying by creating and maintaining detailed genetic and phenotypic records of inbred lines and their hybrid performances. These recorded data serve as templates that guide future breeding decisions and allow replication of successful trait combinations without repeating the entire breeding process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveagronomic characteristicsVSAvoidbreeding program complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the breeding program into distinct modules: separate inbred line development programs for different trait categories (disease resistance, yield, stress tolerance), followed by systematic hybridization experiments. This modular approach allows independent optimization of each trait component before integration, reducing overall program complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements universality by developing inbred lines that serve multiple functions - they can be used both as parental lines for hybrid production and as testing materials for evaluating multiple traits simultaneously. This multi-functional germplasm reduces the need for separate breeding programs for different purposes.

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

3Productivity

If stable, high-yielding maize varieties are developed through extensive breeding and testing, then maximal yield over different conditions is achieved, but the process requires numerous steps taking six to twelve years from first cross to finished seed

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveyieldVSAvoidvariety development duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses preliminary action by conducting preliminary yield trials and multi-environment testing of inbred lines before committing to full hybrid development. This advance evaluation identifies high-potential genetic combinations early, allowing the breeding program to focus resources on the most promising candidates and skip lengthy testing phases for inferior lines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies skipping by using molecular markers and genomic selection tools to bypass traditional phenotypic selection steps. These technologies allow direct identification of desired genetic traits without waiting for phenotypic expression, significantly reducing the time required for trait verification and variety stabilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Data Source

PatentUS10645896B1Maize inbred PH416S
Publication Date: 2020.05.12 PIONEER HI BREED INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A novel maize variety designated PH416S and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant comprise crossing maize variety PH416S with another maize plant are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH416S 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 PH416S or a locus conversion of PH416S with another maize variety.