Ruby SL Orange Tree Irradiation Mutation for Seedless Fruit

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing orange tree varieties like 'Ruby Valencia' face challenges with precocity, yield, and seed presence, necessitating a cultivar that matures earlier and produces seedless, larger fruit with controlled growth habits.

Innovation Solution

The 'Ruby SL' orange tree, developed through irradiation-induced limb mutation of 'Ruby Valencia', exhibits improved characteristics such as reduced precocity, increased fruit size, and seedlessness, while maintaining medium vigor and upright growth habits, suitable for asexual propagation and cultivation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If irradiation-induced limb mutation is applied to develop new variety, then fruit size and seedlessness are improved, but tree precocity and yield are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefruit sizeVSAvoidyield

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies irradiation-induced limb mutation to change the genetic parameters of the orange tree, resulting in a new variety with modified fruit characteristics (larger size, seedless) while accepting trade-offs in tree growth parameters (reduced precocity and yield). This is a direct application of parameter changes through mutation breeding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If irradiation-induced limb mutation is applied to develop new variety, then seedlessness is improved, but tree precocity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseed presenceVSAvoidmaturity time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses irradiation-induced limb mutation to change the genetic parameters of the orange tree, resulting in seedless fruit while the tree exhibits reduced precocity. This parameter change approach simultaneously modifies multiple traits including seed presence and maturity timing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If conventional orange varieties are used, then high yield and precocity are achieved, but fruit size is limited and seeds are present

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveyieldVSAvoidfruit size

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent contrasts conventional orange varieties with the newly developed 'Ruby SL' variety, demonstrating how irradiation-induced mutation changes key parameters including fruit size (increased), seed presence (eliminated), while accepting trade-offs in yield and precocity. This highlights the parameter changes achieved through mutation breeding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ruby SL' demonstrates enhanced fruit size and maturity, reduced yield, and seedlessness, offering a distinct and stable cultivar for cultivation, suitable for fresh and juice markets with good storageability and low pest/disease susceptibility.

Implementation Method 1

The new orange tree 'Ruby SL' resulted from an irradiation-induced limb mutation of 'Ruby Valencia' orange

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIrradiation-induced mutation: Radiation

Data Source

PatentUSPP31794P2Orange tree named ‘Ruby SL’

Publication Date: 2020.05.26 CROC VALLEY FARMS (PTY) LTD

AI summary

‘Ruby SL’ is a new and distinct orange tree notable primarily for its intensely colored seedless fruit.