Maxines Opus Haskap Cultivar Breeding for Yield and Drop Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cultivars of Japanese blue honeysuckle berry (Lonicera caerulea L. ssp. emphyllocalyx) lack desirable traits such as upright growth habit, large and firm fruit, strong attachment to the peduncle to prevent pre-harvest drop, and high yields, especially in moderate and colder climates.

Innovation Solution

The development of the 'Maxines Opus' cultivar through controlled breeding, which exhibits a wide, vigorous spreading habit, elliptical fruit with rolled edges, firm texture, medium-strong attachment to the stem, and high yields, resulting from a cross between '84-105' and '65-18', optimized for moderate and temperate climates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing cultivars are grown in moderate and colder climates, then they can be cultivated in these regions, but they lack desirable traits such as upright growth habit, large and firm fruit, strong attachment to prevent pre-harvest drop, and high yields

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to moderate and colder climatesVSAvoidyield and fruit quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by developing a new cultivar with specific genetic parameters that optimize both cold climate adaptability and productivity. The 'Maxines Opus' cultivar exhibits parameters including upright growth habit, large firm fruit (2.0-2.5g), strong attachment strength, and high yield potential, representing optimized parameter combinations that simultaneously address climate adaptability and productivity requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If fruit attachment to peduncle is strong, then pre-harvest drop is prevented, but fruit may be difficult to pick without tearing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of pre-harvest dropVSAvoidease of harvesting

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction through parameter optimization of the attachment strength. The 'Maxines Opus' cultivar achieves a medium-strong attachment parameter that falls within an optimal range: strong enough to prevent premature abscission during growth and transport, yet manageable for mechanical and manual harvesting without causing fruit damage. This represents a precisely optimized parameter value that balances both requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Volume of moving object

If fruit size is increased, then market attractiveness improves, but firmness may be compromised leading to lower quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefruit sizeVSAvoidfruit firmness

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent successfully resolves this contradiction through optimized parameter combinations in the 'Maxines Opus' cultivar. The fruit achieves a size of 2.0-2.5g (larger than many commercial varieties) while maintaining firm texture and excellent quality. This represents an optimized parameter set where size, firmness, and taste (sweet/tart flavor profile) are simultaneously maximized through controlled breeding, demonstrating that these parameters can be improved together rather than traded off against each other

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUSPP30550P2Japanese haskap plant named ‘Maxines Opus’

Publication Date: 2019.06.04 THOMPSON MAXINE M

AI summary

A new Japanese haskap plant particularly distinguished by wide, vigorous, spreading bush, elliptical-shaped fruits, large fruit having a sweet/tart taste and maturing mid-season, is disclosed.