Soybean Variety A1026846 Breeding via Marker-Assisted Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current soybean breeding methods face challenges in developing stable, high-yielding varieties with desirable traits such as disease resistance, drought tolerance, and improved nutritional quality, as they rely on conventional breeding techniques that are time-consuming and unpredictable, leading to the need for innovative approaches to combine desirable traits effectively.

Innovation Solution

The development of the soybean variety A1026846, which includes methods for crossing and breeding techniques such as backcrossing, genetic transformation, and marker-assisted selection to introduce specific traits like herbicide resistance, disease resistance, and improved nutritional quality, while maintaining the morphological and physiological characteristics of the original variety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional breeding techniques are used to develop soybean varieties, then genetic diversity and trait combination are achieved, but the process is time-consuming and unpredictable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrait combinationVSAvoidbreeding process time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical breeding methods (manual crossing, selection, and propagation) with biotechnological methods including genetic transformation, tissue culture, and marker-assisted selection. This substitution enables precise introduction of specific traits through genetic engineering rather than relying on traditional cross-breeding, significantly reducing the time required to develop varieties with desired trait combinations while maintaining genetic diversity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs molecular markers as intermediaries to track and select for desired traits during breeding. These markers serve as proxies for target genes, allowing breeders to identify and select plants with desired traits at the DNA level rather than waiting for phenotypic expression. This intermediary approach accelerates the breeding process by enabling early selection before the traits are physically expressed in the plants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple desirable traits are combined in a single variety, then agronomic performance and resistance are improved, but the breeding complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisease resistanceVSAvoidbreeding program complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the breeding process into separate, manageable modules: (1) developing individual inbred lines with specific traits through conventional breeding, (2) using molecular markers to identify and track specific trait-associated DNA segments, and (3) combining these pre-characterized lines through controlled crossing. This segmentation allows each trait to be developed and validated independently before combination, reducing overall program complexity while achieving multi-trait varieties with improved reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of trait selection from phenotypic observation to genotypic detection using molecular markers. By detecting traits at the DNA level rather than waiting for physical expression, the breeding program can simultaneously track multiple traits without increased complexity, as molecular marker analysis provides a standardized, high-throughput method for monitoring multiple genetic loci concurrently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If novel traits such as herbicide resistance are introduced, then agronomic utility is enhanced, but genetic stability and variety purity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveherbicide resistanceVSAvoidgenetic stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses molecular markers as intermediaries to ensure that introduced traits like herbicide resistance are stably integrated into the genome. These markers are closely linked to the transgene or trait-associated loci, allowing continuous monitoring and selection of plants that have correctly incorporated the novel trait while maintaining the genetic background of the original variety. This intermediary system ensures both the introduction of novel traits and the maintenance of genetic stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms through marker-assisted selection at multiple stages of breeding. Molecular markers provide continuous feedback on the genetic composition of breeding lines, allowing breeders to verify that novel traits have been successfully introduced and are stably inherited. This feedback loop enables real-time monitoring and correction, ensuring that genetic stability is maintained while incorporating new traits such as herbicide resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8754300B2Soybean variety A1026846
Publication Date: 2014.06.17 MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC

AI summary

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1026846. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1026846. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1026846 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1026846 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.