Soybean Cultivar 21372731 Using Marker-Assisted Trait Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The development of new soybean cultivars that combine desirable traits such as higher seed yield, disease resistance, drought tolerance, and improved fatty acid profile is a time-consuming process requiring precise planning and resource efficiency, with existing technologies struggling to efficiently integrate these traits into stable, high-yielding cultivars.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of the soybean cultivar 21372731, which is developed through crossing, mutagenesis, and transformation, incorporating traits like herbicide resistance, disease tolerance, and altered fatty acid profiles, along with methods for genetic analysis and tissue culture to maintain genetic stability and introduce transgenic traits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional breeding methods are used to develop new soybean cultivars, then desirable traits can be combined, but the process takes 6-12 years and requires extensive resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrait combination stabilityVSAvoidcultivar development time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by using molecular markers to identify and select plants with desired traits early in the breeding process, before traditional phenotypic selection would occur. This allows breeders to pre-screen large populations genetically, significantly reducing the time required to develop new cultivars while maintaining trait stability through verified genetic markers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical/phenotypic selection methods with molecular genetic analysis. Instead of waiting for plants to mature and visually assess traits, the invention uses DNA-based marker systems to detect and select for desired characteristics at the molecular level, accelerating the breeding process from 6-12 years to a fraction of that time.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple desirable traits are integrated into a single cultivar, then overall performance improves, but the breeding process becomes more complex and resource-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecultivar trait combinationVSAvoidbreeding program complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by breaking down the complex task of multi-trait selection into manageable components using individual molecular markers for each trait. Breeders can independently track and select for each desired characteristic (yield, disease resistance, maturity) through separate marker assays, then combine these selections systematically, reducing the overall program complexity while achieving multiple trait integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal molecular marker system that can simultaneously assess multiple traits through a single breeding program framework. The marker-assisted selection methodology serves multiple functions: identifying desired alleles, tracking inheritance, predicting performance, and enabling early selection, thereby simplifying the integration of multiple traits without proportionally increasing program complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If precise forward planning and resource efficiency are maintained, then cultivar development remains manageable, but flexibility to make changes in direction is minimized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebreeding efficiencyVSAvoidbreeding direction flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by creating a flexible molecular marker system that can be rapidly reconfigured based on changing breeding objectives. Unlike fixed traditional breeding programs, the marker-assisted approach allows breeders to dynamically adjust which markers are tracked, which traits are prioritized, and which parental combinations are pursued, all while maintaining efficient resource use through targeted molecular analysis rather than exhaustive phenotypic evaluation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250255242A1Soybean cultivar 21372731
Publication Date: 2025.08.14 MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC

AI summary

A soybean cultivar designated 21372731 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 21372731, to the plants of soybean cultivar 21372731, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 21372731, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 21372731. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 21372731. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 21372731, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 21372731 with another soybean cultivar.