Raritan Hazelnut Cultivar EFB Tolerance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Corylus avellana cultivars are susceptible to eastern filbert blight (EFB) caused by Anisogramma anomala, particularly in regions with high disease pressure, such as the eastern US, where they are not commercially viable due to the need for fungicides and pruning to manage the disease.
Innovation Solution
The development of the 'Raritan' cultivar, resulting from a controlled cross between EFB-tolerant parents, which exhibits a high level of tolerance (quantitative resistance) to EFB, differing in S-alleles and disease response, reducing stem canker formation and canopy inoculum load, making it suitable for areas with high disease pressure without the need for fungicides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current Corylus avellana cultivars are planted in regions with high EFB disease pressure, then commercial production is possible, but the disease susceptibility requires fungicides and pruning management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by developing a new cultivar with fundamentally different disease resistance parameters. The 'Raritan' cultivar possesses quantitative resistance (QrEFB1 and QrEFB2 loci) that changes the disease susceptibility parameter from high to very low, enabling commercial production without fungicides in high disease pressure regions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates the need for expensive and labor-intensive fungicide applications and pruning management by using a cultivar with inherent resistance. This replaces the disposable/short-term chemical control approach with a permanent genetic solution that provides sustained protection
2Reliability
If Corylus avellana cultivars with Gasaway-derived resistance are used, then EFB tolerance is improved, but the resistance source is limited and may not be suitable for all regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite resistance system by combining two distinct quantitative resistance loci (QrEFB1 from OSU 539.031 and QrEFB2 from OSU 616.018) into a single cultivar. This composite genetic architecture provides broader and more versatile EFB tolerance compared to single-gene resistance, adapting to diverse pathogen populations across different regions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the resistance trait into two independent quantitative loci rather than relying on a single dominant gene. This segmentation allows for more flexible inheritance patterns and greater adaptability to different environmental and pathogen conditions across various regions
3Object-affected harmful factors
If fungicides and pruning are used to manage EFB, then disease control is achieved, but production costs and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the cultivar to self-manage disease control through its inherent quantitative resistance. The 'Raritan' cultivar naturally resists EFB infection without requiring external interventions like fungicide applications or pruning, making the disease control system self-sufficient and eliminating associated costs and labor
Data Source
AI summary
A new and distinct Corylus avellana plant named ‘Raritan’ characterized by a vigorous and upright-spreading growth habit, the production of nuts with round kernels that fall free of the husk at maturity, and a high level of tolerance (quantitative resistance) to eastern filbert blight caused by the fungus Anisogramma anomala (Peck) E. Müller.