Sheegene-9 Grapevine Early Maturation Hybridization

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a new variety of Vitis vinifera that produces green-colored, seedless grapes with improved maturation timing and flavor characteristics, distinct from existing varieties like Princess and Red Globe, which primarily produce white and red-colored grapes respectively.

Innovation Solution

The development of 'Sheegene-9', a new grapevine variety hybridized by Timothy P. Sheehan, which produces medium to large-sized green seedless grapes with very good flavor, maturing at least one week earlier than Thompson Seedless, and maintaining its characteristics through asexual propagation on Harmony virus-free rootstock.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If Thompson Seedless is used as a reference variety, then the grapes are known to be seedless and sweet, but they mature later in the season

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematuration timingVSAvoidharvest timing

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the maturation parameter of the grape variety by crossing Princess (white seedless) with Red Globe (red seeded), resulting in Sheegene-9 that matures at least one week earlier than Thompson Seedless while maintaining seedlessness and sweetness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If Princess is used as pollen parent, then white-colored seedless grapes are produced, but the flavor and color variety are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor and flavor varietyVSAvoidgrape color diversity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the white seedless characteristics of Princess with the red seeded characteristics of Red Globe through cross-pollination, producing green-colored seedless grapes that combine advantages of both parents

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of time

If Red Globe is used as seed parent, then red-colored grapes are produced, but the grapes have seeds and mature later

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematuration timingVSAvoidseed presence

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the seedless characteristic from the Red Globe parent line through selective crossing with Princess, removing the harmful seed presence while retaining the red-colored parent's other desirable traits and early maturation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUSPP20236P3Grapevine `Sheegene-9`

Publication Date: 2009.08.25 SHEEHAN GENETICS LLC

AI summary

A new and distinct variety characterized by a green-colored, medium to large sized seedless grape that ripens during mid-July, approximately one week earlier than the Thompson Seedless Grape (unpatented) when grown in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California. The grapes of this new variety are produced on strong woody branches and are well adapted to commercial handling.