PLUMSWEET XIX Plum Tree Hybridization for Fruit Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a new plum tree variety that is self-unfruitful, requires cross-pollination, and produces fruit that is firm, juicy, sweet, and medium in size, with distinct dark red and green skin color, and dark red flesh, maturing earlier than existing varieties.
Innovation Solution
The 'PLUMSWEET XIX' plum tree variety, developed through hybridization and asexual reproduction, is self-unfruitful, requiring cross-pollination from an apricot or plum tree, and produces fruit with these specific characteristics, including dark red and green skin, firm and sweet flesh, and clingstone type, adapted for commercial orchards in central California climate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the plum tree variety produces fruit that matures earlier than existing varieties, then the productivity and market timing are improved, but the fruit development time is reduced which may affect fruit quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the genetic parameters of the plum tree through hybridization to achieve earlier maturity (40 days earlier than seed parent) while maintaining fruit quality. The variety was developed by crossing different plum and interspecific hybrid trees to obtain offspring with optimized maturation characteristics.
2Reliability
If the plum tree is self-unfruitful and requires cross-pollination, then the fruit quality and genetic diversity are improved, but the complexity of pollination management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses bees as intermediary pollinators to facilitate cross-pollination between different plum tree varieties. By introducing bee hives into the orchard, the complex task of manual pollination management is simplified while ensuring reliable fruit set and genetic diversity.
3Reliability
If the fruit is firm and juicy with excellent flavor, then the eating quality is improved, but the shipping durability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves local quality by developing fruit with specific localized characteristics: firm flesh texture for shipping durability, juicy segments for eating quality, and controlled sugar-acid balance for flavor. The fruit exhibits dark red skin with green background and dark red dappling, with firm red flesh that is both shipable and delicious.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a plum tree, Prunus salicina, and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a medium size, moderately vigorous, hardy, and productive tree. Being self-unfruitful, the present variety requires cross pollination from an apricot, interspecific, or plum that blooms during the mid season, such as ‘September Yummy’ plum tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,220). The present variety's abundance of blossoms and moderate pollen production entices strong bee activity to facilitate pollination. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described during mid to late July, with first picking on Jul. 13, 2015, and will hang on the tree for at least three weeks. The fruit is uniformly medium in size, red over a green background with dark red dappling in skin color, clingstone in type, globose to oblate with some asymmetry in shape, full red in flesh color, very firm and crisp in texture, very sweet, and excellent in flavor.