Soybean IDC Tolerance Markers for Precision Breeding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Soybean plants suffer from Iron Deficiency Chlorosis (IDC) in calcareous soils with low iron availability, leading to severe leaf chlorosis and yield loss, for which existing breeding methods lack efficient molecular markers for targeted selection.

Innovation Solution

Development of genetic markers (SEQ ID NOs:1-2) associated with IDC tolerance, enabling marker-assisted selection (MAS) to identify and breed soybean plants with improved tolerance or resistance by detecting specific polymorphisms, such as insertions or deletions, and using backcrossing techniques to introduce these markers into desired genetic backgrounds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional breeding methods are used to select soybean plants with IDC tolerance, then breeding can proceed without molecular markers, but the selection process is inefficient and lacks precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveselection precisionVSAvoidbreeding time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by developing and validating molecular markers (specifically SNPs and InDels) before the breeding selection process. These markers are identified and characterized in advance to predict IDC tolerance, allowing breeders to screen plants at the seedling stage rather than waiting for phenotypic expression, thus significantly reducing breeding time while improving selection precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/phenotypic selection system with a molecular marker-based detection system. Instead of visually assessing IDC tolerance in mature plants (mechanical observation), the invention uses DNA marker analysis to predict tolerance, substituting a molecular detection mechanism that provides earlier and more precise selection

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

2Productivity

If molecular markers are developed and used for marker-assisted selection, then selection efficiency and precision improve, but the complexity of the breeding process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebreeding efficiencyVSAvoidbreeding process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the taking out principle by extracting specific molecular markers (SNPs and InDels) from the complex soybean genome that are directly associated with IDC tolerance. By identifying and isolating these specific marker loci, the invention simplifies the breeding process to focus on detecting only the relevant markers rather than analyzing the entire genome, thus improving efficiency without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of detection from phenotypic observation (visual, environmental-dependent) to genotypic detection (molecular, environment-independent). This parameter change allows for consistent, high-throughput screening using standard molecular biology techniques, improving breeding efficiency while maintaining manageable process complexity through established protocols

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If phenotypic selection is used to identify IDC tolerant plants, then no molecular markers are needed, but accurate prediction of tolerance is difficult and yield loss occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetolerance prediction accuracyVSAvoidyield loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing molecular marker analysis at the seedling or early growth stage to predict IDC tolerance before the plants are exposed to iron-deficient conditions. This early prediction based on genetic markers provides reliable tolerance assessment without requiring plants to actually suffer yield loss, enabling selection of tolerant genotypes before phenotypic expression occurs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses molecular markers as an intermediary between the genotype and the phenotypic expression of IDC tolerance. Instead of directly observing the complex phenotypic response to iron deficiency, the invention detects intermediate molecular markers that reliably indicate tolerance, providing accurate prediction without requiring the plant to express the harmful phenotype

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250207208A1Markers for Iron Deficiency Chlorosis
Publication Date: 2025.06.26 BASF AGRICULTURAL SOLUTIONS US LLC

AI summary

One embodiment relates to markers that are associated with resistance to Iron Deficiency Chlorosis in soybean and which can be used for producing soybean lines with improved resistance to Iron Deficiency Chlorosis. Another embodiment relates to methods and compositions for identifying, selecting and/or producing a soybean plant or germplasm having resistance to Iron Deficiency Chlorosis using genetic markers and the markers themselves. Further embodiments, include selecting and/or producing a soybean plant or germplasm having resistance to Iron Deficiency Chlorosis by any of the methods disclosed herein, are also provided.