NECTARBONDANT Nectarine Tree Breeding for Extended Shelf Life

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current white nectarine varieties face challenges in maintaining fruit quality and shelf life after harvesting, with limited commercial success due to factors like short shelf life and sensitivity to climatic conditions.

Innovation Solution

The development of the 'NECTARBONDANT' white nectarine tree variety, which exhibits a semi-early to semi-late flowering period, produces fruit with a very long shelf life and durable characteristics, achieved through hybridization and propagation by grafting, combining the genetic traits of 'NECTARMAGIE' and 'MAILLARDUCHESSE' trees.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If current white nectarine varieties are used for commercial production, then fruit can be produced for fresh market, but fruit shelf life is short and quality deteriorates rapidly after harvesting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefruit shelf lifeVSAvoidfruit quality stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selecting and breeding for specific genetic traits that alter the fruit's physiological parameters. The 'NECTARBONDANT' variety exhibits changed parameters including slower respiration rate, different ethylene production patterns, and modified cell wall composition, all of which extend shelf life and maintain quality stability post-harvest without requiring external interventions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of stationary object

If nectarine varieties with extended shelf life are developed, then commercial success potential increases, but the varieties must maintain attractive appearance and eating quality throughout the extended period

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshelf lifeVSAvoidfruit appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by ensuring that different regions of the fruit maintain uniform characteristics throughout storage. The 'NECTARBONDANT' variety exhibits consistent skin coloration, firmness, and texture across the entire fruit surface and throughout the flesh, preventing localized deterioration and maintaining overall attractive appearance during the extended shelf life period

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If nectarine varieties are bred for durability and shelf life, then resistance to handling and shipping improves, but the varieties must still achieve good eating quality at consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to handlingVSAvoidbruising

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by developing a fruit with pre-existing structural characteristics that protect against damage before handling occurs. The 'NECTARBONDANT' variety has naturally higher cell wall strength, optimal tannin content for firmness, and balanced sugar-acid ratio that maintains flesh integrity, creating an inherent cushioning effect that prevents bruising during shipping and handling while preserving eating quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUSPP23458P3Nectarine tree named NECTARBONDANT

Publication Date: 2013.03.12 R L AGRO SELECTION FRUITS

AI summary

A new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree, denominated ‘NECTARBONDANT’, has a large fruit of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality and an attractive homogenous bright red skin color. The tree is of large size and is vigorous. Fruit can be consumed crunchy or at maturity.