Suplumfiftytwo Plum Tree Hybridization for Large Fruit and Delayed Ripening
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a new and distinct variety of plum (Prunus salicina) that offers larger fruit size with dark red flesh, improved flavor characteristics, and delayed ripening, while maintaining disease and insect resistance, and being suitable for asexual propagation.
Innovation Solution
The development of the plum variety 'Suplumfiftytwo' through hybridization, characterized by its large, dark red, firm, and juicy fruit with a mild sweet flavor, which differs from its parent varieties in fruit size and ripening time, and is propagated via dormant grafting, maintaining its traits through successive asexual propagations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If fruit size is increased through hybridization, then larger fruit are produced, but ripening time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by hybridizing parent varieties with different genetic parameters for fruit size and ripening time. The cross between 'PL608YB' and 'PL374RR' combines genetic traits to produce fruit with increased size (68mm diameter) while accepting a later ripening date (29 days after pollen parent), thereby changing the parameter组合 to achieve the desired outcome of larger fruit despite the time penalty.
2Volume of moving object
If fruit size is increased, then yield per fruit is improved, but firmness may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selecting for specific local characteristics in different parts of the fruit. The flesh firmness (4.5-5.5 kgf/cm²) is maintained as a distinct local property separate from overall fruit size (68mm diameter). This allows the fruit to achieve large volume while preserving adequate firmness in the flesh tissue, resolving the contradiction between size and strength.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If ripening is delayed, then growing season is extended, but market timing may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by planning the breeding program to produce varieties with delayed ripening (29 days after pollen parent) that can be propagated and established before market demand peaks. The asexual propagation through grafting allows growers to plant these later-ripening varieties in advance, ensuring they are ready for market at their optimal ripening time, thus extending the effective growing season while maintaining market productivity.
4Stability of the object's composition
If asexual propagation is used, then genetic consistency is maintained, but propagation time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing dormant grafting during the dormant season (February 2016) before the growing season begins. This timing allows propagation to occur in advance, establishing rooted cuttings or grafted plants before they need to be planted out. By conducting propagation during dormancy rather than during active growth, the patent minimizes the time loss while maintaining genetic consistency through clonal reproduction.
Data Source
AI summary
A new and distinct plum tree variety, Prunus salicina, cv. ‘Suplumfiftytwo’ is characterized by having large fruit with dark red flesh. The fruit of the new variety ‘Suplumfiftytwo’ is also moderately firm, juicy and has a mild sweet flavor. The date of the harvest of the fruit of the new variety is later than for ‘Black Splendor’ (unpatented) and ‘Flavorosa’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,285). The fruit of the new variety ‘Suplumfiftytwo’ is larger than the fruit of ‘Black Splendor’ (unpatented) and ‘Flavorosa’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,285).