Sorghum PHA94QBKT Breeding via Marker-Assisted Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sorghum breeding techniques face challenges in developing stable, high-yielding hybrids that combine desirable traits such as disease resistance, drought tolerance, and improved agronomic characteristics, while maintaining genetic integrity and uniformity, especially under extreme weather conditions.

Innovation Solution

The development of the sorghum line PHA94QBKT, which involves locus conversion and transformation methods to introduce specific traits, retains the genetic integrity of the base genetics while enhancing traits like disease resistance, drought tolerance, and yield stability through backcrossing and molecular marker-assisted breeding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional sorghum breeding techniques are used to combine desirable traits, then genetic diversity is increased, but genetic integrity and uniformity are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegenetic diversityVSAvoidgenetic integrity and uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Molecular markers serve as intermediaries to track and select specific genetic traits during breeding. The patent uses molecular marker-assisted selection to identify and combine desirable traits (disease resistance, drought tolerance) while maintaining the genetic background of the base line, thus achieving both genetic diversity and integrity through a mediating selection process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces specific desirable traits (disease resistance, drought tolerance) into specific locations of the genome through backcrossing, while maintaining the overall genetic uniformity of the base line. This localized introduction of diversity allows combining specific beneficial traits without compromising overall genetic integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple desirable traits are combined through traditional breeding, then trait diversity increases, but breeding time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrait diversityVSAvoidbreeding time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs molecular marker feedback systems to continuously monitor the presence and combination of desirable traits during the breeding process. This feedback allows breeders to make informed selection decisions at each generation, accelerating the combining of multiple traits (disease resistance, drought tolerance, yield stability) compared to traditional phenotypic selection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary molecular marker analysis to identify parent lines with desired traits before initiating the breeding program. This preliminary characterization allows for more efficient crossing and selection strategies, reducing the overall breeding time required to combine multiple desirable traits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If backcrossing is used to retain base genetics, then genetic integrity is maintained, but introduction of new traits becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegenetic integrityVSAvoidtrait introduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Molecular markers act as intermediaries to facilitate trait introduction during backcrossing. The patent uses marker-assisted selection to efficiently track and select for desirable traits from donor parents while maintaining the recurrent parent's genetic background, making the trait introduction process easier and more predictable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the selection parameters from traditional phenotypic selection to molecular marker-based genotypic selection. This parameter change enables more precise and efficient introduction of new traits during backcrossing, as molecular markers provide direct genetic information about trait presence regardless of environmental influences

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9115365B1Sorghum inbred PHA94QBKT
Publication Date: 2015.08.25 PIONEER HI BREED INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A novel sorghum variety designated PHA94QBKT and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a plant that comprise crossing sorghum variety PHA94QBKT with another plant. Methods for producing a plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHA94QBKT through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the sorghum seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid sorghum seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the sorghum variety PHA94QBKT or a locus conversion of PHA94QBKT with another sorghum variety.