Maize Inbred NPFX7789 Segmentation for Hybrid Uniformity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Corn breeding faces challenges in producing high-yield, agronomically sound plants that are uniformly adapted across the U.S. Corn Belt, as regional growing conditions and specific issues like Gray Leaf Spot infection, cool temperatures, and soil pH levels require tailored traits in hybrids, which are often not uniformly adapted.

Innovation Solution

The development of the maize inbred plant NPFX7789, which includes a mutant or transgenic gene conferring traits such as herbicide resistance, insect resistance, disease resistance, and abiotic stress tolerance, allowing for the production of hybrid seeds through crossing with other maize plants and subsequent backcrossing to introduce desired traits, ensuring consistent physiological and morphological characteristics across environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If inbred maize lines are used to produce hybrid seed, then uniformity and reproducibility of hybrid plants are improved, but the vigor and seed yield of the inbred parent plants deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of hybrid plantsVSAvoidseed yield of inbred parent
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the maize breeding program into distinct functional components: inbred lines are developed specifically as parental material for hybrid production, while separate hybrid combinations are created and evaluated for commercial grain production. This segmentation allows the inbred lines to be optimized for their specific role in hybrid seed production without being judged on grain yield performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different selection criteria to different stages of the breeding program. Inbred lines are selected and maintained based on their ability to produce vigorous hybrid seed, while the resulting hybrid combinations are evaluated for grain yield and quality. This local quality approach ensures each component performs optimally for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If hybrids are developed to achieve high yield and adaptability, then productivity is improved, but uniform adaptation across the U.S. Corn Belt deteriorates due to regional growing conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveyield of maize plantsVSAvoiduniform adaptation across environments
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the Corn Belt into multiple test locations and evaluates hybrid performance at each location separately. This allows identification of hybrids that perform well in specific regional conditions (e.g., Gray Leaf Spot resistance in the eastern Corn Belt, cold tolerance in the northern Corn Belt) rather than requiring uniform performance across all regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent develops and recommends specific hybrid combinations tailored to particular geographic regions and environmental conditions. Each hybrid is evaluated and approved for specific locations based on its performance in those local conditions, allowing optimal yield in each region while accepting that different hybrids will be recommended for different areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional breeding methods are used to develop new varieties, then genetic diversity is improved, but the time required to achieve breeding goals deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegenetic diversity of germplasmVSAvoidbreeding cycle duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes and maintains a core collection of diverse inbred lines with known genetic characteristics and performance data before they are needed for specific breeding objectives. This preliminary development and characterization of germplasm resources allows rapid deployment of appropriate parental lines when breeding goals are defined, eliminating the need for time-consuming germplasm exploration and characterization at the start of each breeding program.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements systematic evaluation and data collection across multiple test locations and years, with results fed back into the breeding program to guide selection of parental lines and evaluation of hybrid combinations. This feedback mechanism accelerates the breeding cycle by using accumulated performance data to make informed decisions about which genetic combinations to pursue further.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8481827B1Variety corn line NPFX7789
Publication Date: 2013.07.09 SYNGENTA CROP PROTECITON AG

AI summary

The present invention provides an inbred corn line designated NPFX7789, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line NPFX7789 with plants of another corn plant. The invention further encompasses all parts of inbred corn line NPFX7789, including culturable cells. Additionally provided herein are methods for introducing transgenes into inbred corn line NPFX7789, and plants produced according to these methods.