Cherry Cultivar PA3UNIBO Fruit Size and Ripening

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a cherry cultivar with larger, firmer fruit and higher sugar content that also exhibits uniform ripening and excellent taste-flavor properties, as existing varieties like 'Giorgia' and 'Summit' do not meet these criteria.

Innovation Solution

The Prunus avium 'PA3UNIBO' cultivar, with its mid-season picking and large-sized fruit of firm flesh, is developed by grafting on 'Gisela 6' root stock, offering higher sugar content, uniform maturation, and improved yield performance, and is compatible with specific pollinators for optimal fruit load and yield.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If existing cherry varieties like 'Giorgia' and 'Summit' are used, then they have established market presence, but they do not provide larger fruit size, higher sugar content, or uniform ripening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefruit sizeVSAvoiduniform ripening

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selecting and propagating a seedling with specific genetic parameters that result in larger fruit size (30-32 mm caliber), higher sugar content (17.4° Brix), and uniform ripening characteristics. The cultivar 'PA3UNIBO' exhibits these improved parameters compared to existing varieties, resolving the contradiction between fruit size and uniformity of ripening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Shape

If cherry varieties with larger fruit size are selected, then fruit appearance is improved, but yield performance and tree growth may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefruit appearanceVSAvoidyield performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by grafted the cultivar onto 'Gisela 6' rootstock, which provides specific local adaptations that enhance both fruit quality and tree productivity. The rootstock-graft combination optimizes local physiological processes to support larger fruit size while maintaining high yield performance through improved nutrient uptake and tree vigor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of time

If mid-season picking varieties are used, then harvest timing is optimized, but harvest period duration may be limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharvest timingVSAvoidharvest period

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action through the cultivar's uniform ripening characteristic that enables a prolonged harvest period of over 10 days in mid-June. The synchronized maturation of large crop loads allows for extended harvesting windows while maintaining optimal fruit quality, effectively extending the commercial harvest period compared to varieties with uneven ripening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUSPP25997P3Cherry tree named ‘PA3UNIBO’

Publication Date: 2015.10.20 ALMA MATER STUDIORUM UNIV DEGLI STUDI DI BOLOGNA

AI summary

Variety Denomination ‘PA3UNIBO’ is a novel cherry tree of the genus/species (cultivar) Prunus avium derived from a seedling of unknown cross which was planted at Vignola, Modena Province, Italy. It was initially propagated by grafting to root stocks of varying vigor and, after testing in districts and plantings of differing types, proved to have the qualities proper to a promising new cultivar for the market.