Soybean Reproductive Growth Molecular Markers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for identifying and optimizing reproductive stages in soybean plants are laborious and inefficient, requiring late-season phenotyping and limited success in introducing desired reproductive traits into elite cultivars, which hampers yield maximization and adaptation to various growing regions.

Innovation Solution

Development of molecular markers associated with soybean reproductive stages, enabling the detection of marker loci, haplotypes, and profiles to select for preferred reproductive growth phenotypes, thereby accelerating the introgression of desired traits into soybean varieties through marker-assisted selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional phenotyping methods are used to identify reproductive stages in soybean plants, then selection accuracy can be achieved, but the process becomes laborious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveselection accuracyVSAvoidbreeding cycle duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by developing and utilizing molecular markers that can predict reproductive growth phenotypes before the actual phenotypic expression occurs. Marker-assisted selection allows breeders to identify desired traits at the seedling or early growth stage, rather than waiting for late-season phenotyping, thus accelerating the breeding cycle while maintaining selection accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical phenotyping process with a molecular detection system. Instead of laborious field observations and measurements of reproductive traits, the invention uses DNA-based molecular markers and laboratory-based detection methods to identify genetic predispositions for desired reproductive phenotypes, significantly reducing labor and time requirements

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

2Measurement precision

If late-season phenotyping is used to evaluate reproductive traits, then accurate trait identification is possible, but breeding efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrait identification accuracyVSAvoidbreeding efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables preliminary identification of reproductive traits through molecular marker detection in early plant stages. By detecting marker alleles associated with desired reproductive phenotypes before the season ends, breeders can make selection decisions much earlier, allowing multiple selection cycles per year and thereby increasing breeding efficiency while maintaining accurate trait identification through validated marker-trait associations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If extensive field testing is conducted to verify reproductive phenotypes, then selection reliability is improved, but resource requirements and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveselection reliabilityVSAvoidresource requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential genetic information needed for reliable selection from the complex phenotypic expression process. By isolating and detecting specific marker alleles that are strongly associated with desired reproductive phenotypes, the invention provides a reliable selection tool that requires minimal field testing resources, as the molecular marker detection itself serves as the primary selection criterion rather than requiring extensive phenotypic verification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS9807951B2Compositions associated with soybean reproductive growth and methods of use
Publication Date: 2017.11.07 PIONEER HI BREED INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

Molecular markers associated with soybean reproductive stage, methods of their use, and compositions having one or more marker loci are provided. Methods comprise detecting at least one marker locus, detecting a haplotype, and/or detecting a marker profile. Methods may further comprise crossing a selected soybean plant with a second soybean plant. Isolated polynucleotides, primers, probes, kits, systems, etc., are also provided, as well as plants and seeds comprising one or more marker loci and having a preferred reproductive growth phenotype.