Tip Top Cherry Tree Fruit Quality and Maturity Traits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cherry tree varieties, such as 'Rainier', lack sweetness, crispness, early maturity, and resistance to bruising and browning, which are desirable traits in a cherry fruit.
Innovation Solution
The 'Tip Top' cherry variety, derived from a chance seedling, exhibits sweeter, crisper fruit with reduced bruising and browning resistance, and earlier maturity, reproduced stably through asexual propagation on 'Mazzard' rootstock.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cherry varieties like 'Rainier' are cultivated, then they have established market presence and growth habits, but they lack sweetness, crispness, early maturity, and resistance to bruising and browning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting and propagating a seedling with naturally altered fruit parameters (sweeter, crisper, earlier maturity, and resistance to bruising and browning) compared to the parent 'Rainier' variety. This changes the physical and chemical parameters of the fruit to achieve the desired improvements.
2Loss of time
If early maturity is achieved in cherry varieties, then harvest time is reduced and market timing is improved, but other quality characteristics may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves early maturity while maintaining quality through parameter changes in the seedling's growth and development characteristics. The 'Tip Top' variety matures approximately one week earlier than 'Rainier' while simultaneously improving sweetness, crispness, and bruise resistance, representing a favorable shift in multiple parameters.
3Strength
If fruit sweetness and crispness are enhanced, then consumer appeal is improved, but the fruit may become more susceptible to damage and reduced shelf life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction through parameter changes that simultaneously increase fruit firmness and reduce susceptibility to bruising and browning. The 'Tip Top' variety exhibits both enhanced crispness and improved resistance to damage, indicating favorable changes in cellular structure and composition parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
‘Tip Top’ is a new and distinct cherry tree notable for its sweet, crisp fruit, reduced tendency to bruise, non-browning flesh, and early maturity as compared to ‘Rainier’.