Thuja MonRig Cultivar Upright Growth and Foliage Color Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a new cultivar of Thuja standishii×plicata that exhibits unique characteristics such as compact growth, upright branching, and distinct foliage coloration, which are not adequately represented in existing varieties.

Innovation Solution

The cultivar 'MonRig' is a naturally occurring mutation with stable traits including yellow-green to chocolate brown foliage color, tight and compact growth, and upright branching, propagated through meristem tissue culture, distinguishing it from its parent and similar varieties like 'MonPin'.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If Thuja standishii×plicata is propagated using conventional methods, then the parent variety characteristics are maintained, but the new cultivar with compact growth and upright branching cannot be obtained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrowth habitVSAvoidvariety diversity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selecting a natural mutation with altered growth parameters (compact habit, upright branching) from the parent variety population. This mutation represents a change in the phenotypic parameters of the plant that is then stabilized through tissue culture propagation, creating a new cultivar with distinct morphological characteristics while maintaining genetic stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If Thuja 'MonRig' is propagated by meristem tissue culture, then genetic stability and trait consistency are achieved, but propagation time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegenetic stabilityVSAvoidpropagation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing a standardized meristem tissue culture protocol that can be applied repeatedly to produce genetically stable plants. The preliminary work of developing and validating the tissue culture method enables rapid, consistent propagation of the new cultivar, reducing the time required for each subsequent propagation cycle while maintaining genetic stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If Thuja 'MonRig' is grown in varying environmental conditions, then adaptability is demonstrated, but phenotypic consistency may vary

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental adaptabilityVSAvoidphenotypic consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies inversion by reversing the typical approach: instead of selecting plants that show phenotypic consistency across environments, the method propagulates a single genetically stable plant through tissue culture. This ensures that phenotypic consistency is maintained by controlling the genetic source, while the resulting cultivar demonstrates adaptability to various environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUSPP27067P3<i>Thuja </i>plant named ‘MonRig’

Publication Date: 2016.08.16 MONROVIA NURSERY CO

AI summary

A new and distinct Thuja cultivar named ‘MonRig’ is disclosed, characterized by distinctive Yellow-Green and Green foliage, which changes to chocolate brown in the Winter. Plants have distinctive tight, upright growth habit. The new cultivar is a Thuja, suitable for ornamental garden purposes.