US Early Pride Mandarin Irradiation Mutation Low Seed

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing early season maturing mandarin cultivars, such as 'Fallglo', are seedy and not as easily peelable, which can be a drawback for consumers.

Innovation Solution

The development of 'US Early Pride', a mandarin variety derived from an irradiated bud of 'Fallglo', which exhibits early season maturity, low seed count (<1 seed/fruit), and a pebbled rind texture, making it easy to peel and seedless.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If early season maturing mandarin cultivar is used, then early maturity is achieved, but high seed count and difficult peeling occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematurity timeVSAvoidseed count and peeling difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing irradiation to induce genetic mutations in the mandarin cultivar, thereby altering the biological parameters of the fruit to achieve low seed count and improved peeling characteristics while maintaining early maturity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of irradiation (which can cause mutations and potential damage) into a beneficial outcome by carefully controlling the irradiation parameters to select for desirable traits such as low seed count and easy peeling, while maintaining the early maturity characteristic

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

US Early Pride achieves early season maturity with large, juicy, and sweet fruit that is easy to peel and holds quality characteristics, providing a unique combination of traits not found in other early season mandarins, including high consumer preference due to its low seed count.

Implementation Method 1

Irradiation of budwood from 'Fallglo' trees was accomplished in 1991 using 3 k RAD units of gamma irradiation from a Cobalt-60 irradiation source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIrradiation: Radiation

Data Source

PatentUSPP23724P2Mandarin tree named ‘US Early Pride’

Publication Date: 2013.07.09 THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

AI summary

A new and distinct mandarin cultivar which originated from seed produced by a hand pollinated cross of OSC 1466 (non-patented)×ORUS 1117-11 (non-patented) is provided. It is distinguished by production of fruit that combines early season maturity, large fruit size, smooth rind texture with deep orange color, and a rich sweet flavor. It further distinguishes itself by being very low seeded and relatively easy to peel.