Periclinal Chimera Seed Production for Improved Germination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing breeding techniques to enhance crop traits often compromise seed quality, such as germination capacity, uniformity, rate, and seedling vigour, particularly in hybrid seeds, leading to commercial viability issues and genetic interference.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing periclinal chimera plants to alter the genotype of the L1 and/or L3-shoot meristem layer of the female parent without changing the genotype of the resulting seed, enhancing seed germination properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If classical breeding techniques are used to enhance crop traits, then plant traits such as fruit yield and size are improved, but seed quality including germination capacity, uniformity, rate and seedling vigour deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefruit yieldVSAvoidseed germination capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the plant into three distinct meristem layers (L1, L2, L3) with different genetic compositions. The L2 layer produces gametes with the desired genotype for fruit traits, while the L1 and L3 layers provide maternal effects that enhance seed quality. This segmentation allows independent optimization of plant productivity and seed germination properties without genetic compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If breeding is used to improve seed quality, then germination properties are enhanced, but it is time-consuming and may affect other desirable genomic properties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseed germination uniformityVSAvoidbreeding time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by giving different genetic compositions to different meristem layers. The L1 and L3 layers are genetically modified to provide beneficial maternal effects on seed development, while the L2 layer maintains the original genotype for fruit production. This allows seed quality improvement without altering the overall genomic properties desired for plant traits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If periclinal chimera is used to improve seed germination properties, then germination capacity and seedling vigour are enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseed germination rateVSAvoidplant structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The periclinal chimera plant serves itself by using its own differentiated meristem layers to produce high-quality seeds. The L1 and L3 layers automatically provide the maternal effects needed for improved seed germination without requiring external intervention or complex production systems. The plant's own structure enables the quality enhancement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12622406B2Methods for the production of seed with improved seed germination properties

Publication Date: 2026.05.12 KEYGENE NV

AI summary

The present invention provides methods for the production of plant inbred seed, or for the production of plant hybrid seed, wherein the seed obtained exhibits altered and/or improved germination properties, in particular improved germination properties such as enhanced seed germination rate, enhanced seed germination capacity and/or enhanced seedling fresh weight. The present invention also provides for the use of periclinal chimera plants for improving germination properties of seed.