OLYMPUS Hybrid Pumpkin Plant Breeding Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pumpkin breeding techniques face challenges in developing stable, high-yielding hybrid pumpkin varieties with improved fruit appearance, size, eating and processing qualities, and agronomic traits, which are not adequately addressed by existing methods.

Innovation Solution

The development of a novel hybrid pumpkin plant designated OLYMPUS, along with methods for its propagation, including seed production, tissue culture, and genetic modification using techniques like CRISPR-Cas nucleases, to introduce desired traits such as disease resistance and enhanced nutritional quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional pumpkin breeding techniques are used, then existing varieties can be maintained, but the development of stable, high-yielding hybrid pumpkin varieties with improved fruit appearance, size, eating and processing qualities, and agronomic traits is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveyieldVSAvoidstability of hybrid varieties
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The breeding program is divided into distinct phases: developing inbred lines through multiple generations of self-pollination, crossing selected inbreds to produce F1 hybrids, and evaluating performance across multiple environments. This segmentation allows systematic improvement of yield while maintaining stability through controlled breeding steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inbred lines are developed and stabilized through several generations of self-pollination before being used as parents for hybrid production. This preliminary action ensures genetic stability and uniformity in the parental lines, which then produce stable and high-yielding F1 hybrids.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Shape

If traditional breeding methods are used, then existing crop varieties can be maintained, but improved fruit appearance, shape and size, eating and processing qualities cannot be adequately achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefruit appearance and sizeVSAvoidbreeding program complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Selection criteria are applied at specific stages and locations within the breeding program. Different inbred lines are selected based on specific traits (fruit shape, size, color, flesh quality) at different generations, allowing targeted improvement of particular qualities without requiring complete redesign of the entire breeding program.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The breeding program is designed to simultaneously improve multiple traits including fruit appearance, size, eating quality, and processing qualities through the same systematic approach of inbred line development and hybrid crossing, making the breeding method multi-functional rather than requiring separate programs for each trait.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional breeding techniques are used, then basic crop production is maintained, but agronomic and horticultural qualities need improvement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveagronomic and horticultural qualitiesVSAvoidbreeding cycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inbred lines are developed and genetically stabilized in advance through multiple generations of self-pollination and selection. This preliminary development creates a foundation of genetically uniform parents that can be quickly crossed to produce F1 hybrids with improved agronomic and horticultural qualities, reducing the overall breeding cycle time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Performance evaluation of inbred lines and F1 hybrids is conducted across multiple environments and generations, with selection decisions based on feedback from these evaluations. This feedback mechanism allows continuous improvement of agronomic and horticultural qualities while optimizing breeding cycle time through data-driven selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The OLYMPUS hybrid pumpkin plant exhibits superior physiological and morphological characteristics, offering increased yield, improved fruit quality, and resistance to diseases, thereby addressing the limitations of existing breeding methods.

Implementation Method 1

genetic modification using techniques like CRISPR-Cas nucleases, to introduce desired traits such as disease resistance and enhanced nutritional quality

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCRISPR-Cas nucleases:

Data Source

PatentUS11895963B2Hybrid pumpkin plant named OLYMPUS
Publication Date: 2024.02.13 HM CLAUSE

AI summary

A hybrid pumpkin plant, designated OLYMPUS is disclosed. The disclosure relates to the seeds of hybrid pumpkin designated OLYMPUS, to the plants and plant parts of hybrid pumpkin designated OLYMPUS, and to methods for producing a pumpkin plant by crossing the hybrid pumpkin OLYMPUS with itself or another pumpkin plant.