Maize Inbred PH4DDB Breeding via Doubled Haploid Technology

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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 from the first cross to the delivery of finished seed, 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

A novel maize variety, PH4DDB, is developed through careful breeding and selection, incorporating traits like male sterility, disease resistance, and drought tolerance, achieved through backcross conversion, genetic manipulation, and transformation, allowing for the creation of hybrid seeds with enhanced agronomic characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional breeding methods are used to develop new maize varieties, then stable and agronomically sound varieties can be produced, but the development process takes six to twelve years

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of maize varietyVSAvoidbreeding cycle duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by using doubled haploid technology to create inbred lines in a single generation rather than requiring multiple generations of selfing. This preliminary creation of genetically stable lines accelerates the overall breeding process while maintaining the reliability and stability that would otherwise take years to achieve through traditional sequential breeding steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple desirable traits are combined in a single variety, then agronomic performance improves, but the complexity of breeding programs increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by developing distinct inbred lines, each carrying specific desirable traits (such as disease resistance, drought tolerance, or yield characteristics), and then combining them through strategic crosses. This segmentation of traits into separate lines makes the breeding program more manageable and systematic, reducing overall complexity while achieving multi-trait combinations in the final variety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If inbred lines are developed through traditional selfing, then genetic homogeneity is achieved, but the process requires multiple generations and resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegenetic homogeneityVSAvoidbreeding resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of repeated selfing and manual selection with doubled haploid technology. This substitution achieves genetic homogeneity and stable inbred lines in a single generation, dramatically reducing the time and resources (seeding material, field space, labor) that would otherwise be required for multiple generations of traditional selfing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11641831B1Maize inbred PH4DDB
Publication Date: 2023.05.09 PIONEER HI BREED INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A novel maize variety designated PH4DDB and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant comprise crossing maize variety PH4DDB with another maize plant are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH4DDB 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 PH4DDB or a locus conversion of PH4DDB with another maize variety.