Sedum Superstar Cultivar Breeding for Compact Habit and Disease Resistance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a new and distinct cultivar of Sedum that exhibits unique characteristics such as compact growth, vibrant foliage, and robust flowering, which are not met by existing Sedum varieties.
Innovation Solution
The development of Sedum 'Superstar' through a planned breeding program, combining Sedum cauticola as the female parent and 'SRF-SED-282-F 'Sunset Cloud' as the male parent, resulting in a plant with tight-forming clumps, greyed-green to greyed-purple foliage, and abundant, vibrant reddish-purple flowers, distinguished from other Sedum cultivars.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing Sedum varieties are used, then basic growth requirements are met, but unique characteristics such as compact growth, vibrant foliage, and robust flowering are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting and breeding for specific morphological parameters including compact growth habit, greyed-green to greyed-purple foliage color, and vibrant reddish-purple flowers. The breeding program targeted these specific parameter combinations to create a cultivar with unique characteristics that distinguish it from existing Sedum varieties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite genetic material by crossing Sedum cauticola as the female parent with 'SRF-SED-282-F 'Sunset Cloud'' as the male parent. This composite breeding approach combines desirable traits from both parents to produce offspring with the desired compact growth, vibrant foliage, and robust flowering characteristics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If Sedum 'Superstar' is bred with specific traits, then unique characteristics are achieved, but breeding complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the breeding program into distinct phases: selecting parent plants with specific traits, controlled crossing to produce seedlings, evaluating offspring for desired characteristics, and selecting the superior individual (breeder code 12-34-105) for further propagation. This segmentation makes the complex breeding process more manageable and systematic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms by evaluating seedlings during the trial phase in fall 2014 and subsequent generations, selecting those that exhibit the desired compact growth, greyed-purple foliage, and vibrant flowers. This iterative selection process provides feedback to refine the breeding program and ensure stability of the distinctive traits.
3Stability of the object's composition
If Sedum 'Superstar' is propagated vegetatively, then true-to-type reproduction is achieved, but propagation time and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by establishing a stable, true-to-type cultivar through controlled vegetative propagation of selected shoot tip cuttings. This preliminary establishment of genetically identical plants ensures that the distinctive traits are preserved and stabilized before commercial distribution, avoiding the need for repeated breeding cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying through vegetative propagation by taking shoot tip cuttings from the selected parent plant (breeder code 12-34-105) to produce genetically identical clones. This copying method ensures true-to-type reproduction of the unique characteristics including compact growth habit, greyed-purple foliage, and vibrant reddish-purple flowers without genetic variation.
Data Source
AI summary
The new and distinct cultivar of perennial Sedum plant named ‘Superstar’ is characterized by tight-forming compact clumps with small-sized, greyed-purple glaucous foliage on vertical to slightly arching branching stems flower stems that resist falling over and opening up in the center of the plant throughout the growing season. Numerous stems produce a multitude of flowers beginning light rosy-pink effect darkening with age to reddish purple and completely covering the top and sides of the plant. The new plant is useful for the landscape in containers, as specimen or en masse.