Watermelon Line WML-EJ16-2718 for Uniform Trait Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing watermelon breeding methods struggle to produce uniform varieties with desirable traits such as herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, and modified carbohydrate metabolism, often resulting in unpredictable performance due to genetic non-uniformity.

Innovation Solution

Development of the watermelon line WML-EJ16-2718, which is homozygous and can be crossed with other plants to produce uniform F1 progeny, incorporating desired traits through genetic engineering or backcrossing, and utilizing techniques like genome editing with engineered nucleases to introduce specific genetic loci.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional breeding methods are used to combine desirable traits, then genetic diversity is increased, but uniformity of the resulting variety deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegenetic diversityVSAvoiduniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The breeding process is segmented into distinct phases: developing homozygous inbred lines through repeated selfing, then crossing these standardized lines to produce uniform F1 hybrids. This segmentation allows genetic diversity to be captured in the breeding pools while ensuring uniformity in the final commercial varieties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Homozygous inbred lines are developed in advance through multiple generations of selfing and selection before the crossing step. This preliminary action ensures that the parental lines are genetically uniform and stable, which guarantees uniformity in the resulting F1 hybrid progeny.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If self-pollination is used to develop uniform varieties, then uniformity is improved, but genetic diversity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveuniformityVSAvoidgenetic diversity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Self-pollination is applied as a preliminary action to develop homozygous inbred lines with uniform genetics. These standardized lines then serve as parental stocks for subsequent crosses, ensuring both uniformity in the inbreds and genetic diversity in the final hybrids.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The breeding program segments the population into separate homozygous inbred lines that are developed independently through selfing. Each line achieves uniformity internally, while the collection of diverse lines provides the genetic diversity needed for creating improved hybrids.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If cross-pollination is used to create hybrids, then genetic diversity is improved, but uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegenetic diversityVSAvoiduniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The parental lines are made genetically uniform at the local level through homozygosity, while the cross-pollination introduces diversity at the hybrid level. This local quality control ensures that F1 hybrids from the same parental cross are uniform, even though they genetically differ from other hybrid combinations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If multiple generations of breeding are performed, then desirable traits are improved, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrait stabilityVSAvoidbreeding duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The breeding process utilizes self-pollination, which is a self-service mechanism that automatically maintains homozygosity and uniformity across generations without requiring complex intervention. This self-service approach streamlines the multi-generational breeding process and reduces time consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250318484A1Watermelon line WML-EJ16-2718
Publication Date: 2025.10.16 SEMINIS VEGETABLE SEEDS INC

AI summary

The invention provides seed and plants of watermelon line WML-EJ16-2718. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds, and tissue cultures of watermelon line WML-EJ16-2718 and to methods for producing a watermelon plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another watermelon plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to plants, seeds, plant parts, and tissue cultures of watermelon line WML-EJ16-2718 comprising introduced beneficial or desirable traits.