Sweet Pixie 6 Interspecific Prunus Tree Maturity and Storage Traits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interspecific and apricot tree varieties face challenges in fruit maturity timing, skin texture, and storage/shipping capabilities, with a need for varieties that offer improved fruit characteristics such as earlier maturity, glabrous skin, and enhanced storage and shipping abilities.
Innovation Solution
The development of the 'SWEET PIXIE 6' interspecific tree, resulting from a cross between 'Sweet Pixie' Interspecific and proprietary apricot variety '384LD362', which exhibits vigorous growth, regular fruit production, and fruit characteristics like firm yellow flesh, attractive red skin, and improved storage and shipping qualities, with a maturity date approximately 49 days later than 'Sweet Pixie' and 68 days later than '384LD362', and 20 days earlier than 'Black Kat' Interspecific.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If existing interspecific and apricot tree varieties are used, then fruit production is achieved, but fruit maturity timing and storage/shipping capabilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by creating a new variety through controlled cross-breeding that alters the maturity timing parameter. The 'SWEET PIXIE 6' variety achieves a balanced maturity period that is 20 days earlier than 'Black Kat' Intersific but maintains superior storage and shipping capabilities through inherited genetic traits from both parent varieties, effectively optimizing the time-related parameters of fruit development
2Shape
If existing apricot varieties with pubescent skin are used, then fruit production is achieved, but skin texture and marketability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively inheriting the glabrous (smooth) skin trait from the intersific parent while maintaining the desirable flesh qualities from the apricot parent. This creates a fruit with locally optimized skin texture that is glabrous and attractive, directly addressing the skin texture parameter and enhancing marketability through improved visual appeal and handling characteristics
3Loss of time
If early maturing varieties are selected, then maturity timing is improved, but storage and shipping ability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining genetic traits from two different parent varieties to create a composite fruit with optimized properties. The 'SWEET PIXIE 6' variety combines the early maturing tendency from one parent with the superior storage and shipping capabilities from the other, creating a composite genetic structure that achieves both early maturity and reliable post-harvest performance
Data Source
AI summary
A new and distinct variety of interspecific (Prunus species) tree. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, California, with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:1. Tree having a vigorous, upright growth habit.2. Tree being a regular and productive bearer of small to medium size, yellow flesh fruit.3. Fruit with excellent flavor and eating quality.4. Fruit with a high degree of attractive red skin color.5. Fruit with good storage and shipping ability.