Melon QTL-VI and QTL-XII for Powdery Mildew Resistance

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for controlling powdery mildew in melon plants, such as fungicide treatments, are inefficient and can lead to resistance issues, necessitating the development of non-chemical alternatives and genetic elements conferring increased resistance to powdery mildew.

Innovation Solution

Identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) linked to powdery mildew resistance in melon plants, specifically QTL-VI and QTL-XII, and the use of associated molecular markers for marker-assisted selection to breed resistant varieties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fungicide treatments are used to control powdery mildew, then disease control is achieved, but fungicide resistance develops and control failure occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease controlVSAvoidfungicide resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the resistance trait from the chemical control system and transfers it into the plant genome through QTL mapping and marker-assisted selection. By identifying and transferring specific quantitative trait loci (QTLs) conferring powdery mildew resistance, the invention moves the resistance mechanism from external chemical application to internal genetic programming, eliminating dependence on fungicides and preventing resistance development.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables plants to provide their own resistance to powdery mildew through genetically embedded QTLs. The plants self-regulate their susceptibility to the disease through their own genetic makeup, eliminating the need for external fungicide intervention and the subsequent development of resistance to chemical controls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If weekly spraying programs are used to prevent powdery mildew development, then adequate control is obtained, but labor and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease controlVSAvoidspraying frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables plants to provide their own resistance to powdery mildew through genetically embedded QTLs. The plants self-regulate their susceptibility to the disease through their own genetic makeup, eliminating the need for external fungicide intervention and the subsequent development of resistance to chemical controls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If chemical fungicides are applied to control powdery mildew, then disease symptoms are reduced, but environmental pollution and health risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease controlVSAvoidenvironmental pollution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the resistance trait from the chemical control system and transfers it into the plant genome through QTL mapping and marker-assisted selection. By identifying and transferring specific quantitative trait loci (QTLs) conferring powdery mildew resistance, the invention moves the resistance mechanism from external chemical application to internal genetic programming, eliminating dependence on fungicides and preventing resistance development.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11950554B2QTLS for powdery mildew resistance in melon

Publication Date: 2024.04.09 KEYGENE NV

AI summary

The present invention relates to genetic elements comprising powdery mildew-conferring QTLs derived from a plant of the species Cucumis melo, or powdery mildew-conferring part or variant thereof. The invention also relates to markers for identification of said QTLs, use thereof and methods for producing plants with increased resistance to powdery mildew and the plants thus obtained.