Spiraea SMSMBK Cultivar Breeding for Compact Habit and Mildew Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Spiraea plants lack compact and mounding growth habits with attractive foliage and resistance to mildew pathogens, which are desirable traits for horticultural applications.
Innovation Solution
A new Spiraea cultivar, 'SMSMBK', bred through open-pollination of Spiraea media 'SSBLUE' with an unknown Spiraea media selection, exhibiting a compact, upright, and mounding habit with attractive foliage and resistance to mildew pathogens, achieved through asexual reproduction by softwood cuttings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If Spiraea plants are bred for compact and mounding growth habit, then plant size and shape are improved, but resistance to mildew pathogens may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The breeding program systematically varied genetic parameters through controlled cross-pollination between Spiraea media 'SSBLUE' and unknown Spiraea media selections, selecting for the specific combination of compact growth habit and mildew resistance that defines the 'SMSMBK' cultivar
2Ease of manufacture
If Spiraea plants are bred for attractive foliage color, then aesthetic value is improved, but resistance to mildew pathogens may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The breeding program selected for the specific foliage color parameter (greyed orange to medium green with greyed green overlay) while simultaneously selecting for mildew resistance, achieving a cultivar that combines both aesthetic and pathological resistance traits
3Productivity
If Spiraea plants are bred for vigorous growth habit, then productivity is improved, but control over plant shape may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The breeding program selected for the specific combination of vigorous growth rate and compact mounding shape, where the plant exhibits high productivity through vigorous growth while maintaining controlled compact dimensions of 40-60 cm height and 60-80 cm diameter
Data Source
AI summary
A new and distinct cultivar of Spiraea plant named ‘SMSMBK’, characterized by its compact, upright, outwardly spreading and mounding plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; dense and bushy habit; developing leaves that are greyed orange in color becoming medium green with a greyed green-colored overlay with development; large inflorescences with white-colored flowers; good garden performance; and resistance to mildew pathogens.