Tecoma Cultivar Breeding for Compact Habit and Minimal Seed Pods

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Tecoma cultivars lack compact habit and interesting flower colors, with 'Gold Star' producing numerous seed pods and having longer internodes compared to the desired traits.

Innovation Solution

The development of Tecoma cultivar 'TEC60109105' through crossing unnamed Tecoma plants, characterized by yellow flowers, year-round flowering, short internodes, light green leaves, and minimal seed pods, which distinguishes it from 'Gold Star' by having shorter internodes and earlier blooming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If Tecoma cultivars are bred for compact habit with short internodes, then plant compactness is improved, but flower color variety and interesting hues are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinternode lengthVSAvoidflower color variety

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selectively breeding for specific internode length parameters while maintaining flower color parameters. The cultivar 'TEC60109105' achieves internodes of 5 cm or less while preserving yellow flower pigmentation, demonstrating that parameter optimization in one trait does not necessarily compromise another trait when proper breeding selection is applied.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If Tecoma 'Gold Star' is used as a parent, then reliable yellow flowers are produced, but numerous seed pods are generated and internodes are longer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflower color consistencyVSAvoidseed pod quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the extraction principle by selecting and removing undesirable traits from the progeny of Tecoma 'Gold Star' crossings. The breeder extracted the desirable yellow flower color trait while eliminating the unwanted characteristics of excessive seed pod production and long internodes, resulting in a refined cultivar that retains only the beneficial attributes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the quantitative parameters of seed pod production and internode length while maintaining the qualitative parameter of flower color consistency. The new cultivar produces very few seed pods and has internodes of 5 cm or less, yet reliably produces yellow flowers, demonstrating parameter optimization across multiple traits simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If Tecoma cultivars produce numerous seed pods, then reproduction is improved, but plant compactness and aesthetic quality are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseed pod productionVSAvoidplant compactness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies inversion by reversing the traditional selection criterion. Instead of selecting for high seed pod production as a measure of successful reproduction, the breeder selected for very few seed pods while achieving the desired plant compactness. This inverted approach demonstrates that reduced seed pod production can coexist with improved aesthetic qualities when deliberate breeding selection is applied.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUSPP24169P2Tecoma plant named 'TEC60109105'

Publication Date: 2014.01.21 NEW PLANT INTRODUCTIONS LLC

AI summary

A new cultivar of Tecoma plant named ‘TEC60109105’ that is characterized by yellow flowers, early spring flowering, short internodes, light green leaves and very few seed pods.