TARDILAM Cherry Tree Late Maturity and Firmness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cherry tree varieties face challenges in producing fruits with long shelf life, optimal eating quality, and resistance to climatic conditions, particularly in Mediterranean climates with varying cold hours and intense winds, which affect fruit quantity and quality.
Innovation Solution
The development of the 'TARDILAM' cherry tree variety, resulting from a cross between 'FIRELAM' and 'SWEETHEART® SUMTARE', which is self-fertile, produces larger, firmer fruits with a bright red skin and semi-sweet flavor, suitable for commercial fresh market production, and exhibits good resistance to late frosts and chilling requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If early-maturing cherry varieties are grown, then fruit production occurs earlier in the season, but shelf life and resistance to climatic conditions deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by developing a cherry variety with specific genetic characteristics that alter the maturity timeline. The 'TARDILAM' variety was bred to have a late maturity period (June-July) while maintaining firm flesh and bright red color, changing the temporal parameter of fruit development to achieve both extended shelf life and climatic adaptability in Mediterranean regions
2Volume of moving object
If cherry varieties are bred for large fruit size, then market attractiveness improves, but firmness and shelf life may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials principles through hybridization, combining genetic traits from parent varieties 'FIRELAM' and 'SWEETHEART SUMTARE'. This genetic composite results in fruits that simultaneously achieve large size (29-30mm diameter, 11-12g weight) and exceptional firmness, with the flesh remaining very firm even at maturity to prevent splitting and extend shelf life
3Adaptability or versatility
If cherry trees are grown in Mediterranean climates, then adaptability to local conditions improves, but fruit quality and quantity deteriorate due to intense winds and irregular precipitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle through the self-fertile characteristic of the 'TARDILAM' variety, which ensures reliable fruit set and production without dependency on external pollinators. This genetic feature provides insurance against climatic variability, ensuring consistent fruit quantity and quality year after year in Mediterranean conditions where pollination can be disrupted by wind and irregular weather patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The variety was bred with specific physiological parameters adapted to Mediterranean climates, including tolerance to intense Tramontane winds and irregular precipitation patterns. The tree maintains good fruit set and quality despite environmental stressors, with fruits developing firm flesh and bright red coloration that resist splitting and degradation
Data Source
AI summary
A new and distinct variety of cherry tree denominated ‘TARDILAM’ has fruits with important fruit set, that ripen late to very late in the season, with large size and homogenous bright red fruit skin, very firm, and with a good and semi-sweet to balanced flavor and eating quality; the fruit is further characterized by its good handling and storage qualities.