Panicum virgatum Prairie Dog Cultivar Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a stable and unique Panicum virgatum cultivar with specific height and foliage characteristics that are not currently available in the market, offering a distinct alternative to existing varieties like 'Northwind' and 'Heavy Metal'.

Innovation Solution

The 'Prairie Dog' cultivar of Panicum virgatum, characterized by its upright habit, 110 cm height, clean greyed-green foliage, and larger inflorescence, is propagated through asexual vegetative division, maintaining uniformity and stability in reproduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing Panicum virgatum varieties are used, then market availability is maintained, but unique height and foliage characteristics are not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of height and foliage characteristicsVSAvoiduniqueness compared to existing varieties

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selecting and propagating a Panicum virgatum plant with specific measured parameters: 110 cm height (distinct from Northwind at 180 cm and Heavy Metal at 120 cm), greyed-green foliage color (189 A on RHS scale, distinct from Northwind's green and Heavy Metal's blue-green), and upright habit. These parameter changes create a unique cultivar that fills a market gap for compact, uniformly colored ornamental grasses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If vegetative division propagation is used, then uniformity in reproduction is achieved, but reproduction method is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniformity of reproduced plantsVSAvoidreproduction methods

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs copying through vegetative division, where new plants are created as exact genetic copies of the parent plant. This ensures that all propagated plants maintain the precise 110 cm height, greyed-green foliage color, and upright habit, achieving uniformity in reproduction. Over 1000 vegetative divisions have been made since 2017, all remaining uniform in height and foliage color.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUSPP32736P2<i>Panicum virgatum </i>plant named ‘Prairie Dog’

Publication Date: 2021.01.05 HORVATH BRENT ARPAD

AI summary

A new, Panicum virgatum plant as described and illustrated, characterized by a more upright plant with a height of 103 cm.