Sorghum MSD2 Mutation Enhances Seed Yield

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sorghum cultivars face limitations in seed yield due to arrested development of pedicellate spikelets, which restricts seed production and grain yield, as only sessile spikelets are fertile, while pedicellate spikelets abort, leading to reduced seed numbers and weight.

Innovation Solution

Genetically altered sorghum plants with a mutation in the Sb06g018040 gene, encoding a class II 13-lipoxygenase, exhibit reduced activity of this enzyme, resulting in increased seed yield by promoting full fertility of pedicellate spikelets and enhanced flower and seed production, characterized by the MSD2 phenotype.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If wild-type sorghum development is maintained, then normal plant structure is preserved, but seed yield is limited due to abortion of pedicellate spikelets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseed yieldVSAvoidfertility of pedicellate spikelets

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by mutating the Tb1 gene to alter its function from promoting sessile spikelet development to promoting pedicellate spikelet fertility. This genetic parameter change transforms the developmental fate of pedicellate spikelets from abortion to seed production, directly increasing seed yield without compromising plant structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If pedicellate spikelet abortion is maintained in wild-type, then plant structure remains normal, but seed number per panicle is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseed number per panicleVSAvoidinflorescence development pattern

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies inversion by reversing the normal developmental pattern where sessile spikelets are fertile and pedicellate spikelets abort. Through Tb1 gene mutation, the fertility is inverted to occur in pedicellate spikelets instead, thereby increasing seed number per panicle while creating a novel inflorescence development pattern

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If EMS mutagenesis is applied to generate msd mutants, then seed number increases, but distinct phenotypes with different characteristics are produced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseed countVSAvoidphenotypic consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by identifying a specific mutation in the Tb1 gene that produces a consistent and uniform msd2 phenotype. Unlike other EMS-induced mutants with varying phenotypes, this specific local genetic change ensures all plants exhibit the same characteristic of enhanced pedicellate spikelet fertility and increased seed count

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10253326B2Mutant sorghum bicolor having enhanced seed yield

Publication Date: 2019.04.09 COLD SPRING HARBOR LABORATORY INC

AI summary

Genetically altered sorghum plants expressing the multi-seeded #2 phenotype contain one of two genomic alterations in the Sb06g018040 gene which result in reduced activity of the encoded protein, a class II 13-lipoxygenase. This phenotype and genotype are referred to as msd2. These alterations result in increased number of seeds and seed weight, thus increasing the yield of the genetically altered plant. These alterations can be generated in the ortholog genes in maize (TS1), rice, barley, and other monocot plants, generating the MSD2 phenotype. The seeds of one particular MSD2 Sorghum bicolor has been deposited with ATCC and assigned Accession Number PTA-121634.