Watermelon TML-EJ09112 Inbred Line Uniformity Breeding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current plant breeding methods face challenges in developing uniform and stable watermelon varieties with desirable traits such as herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, and disease resistance, as they often result in unpredictable performance due to genetic non-uniformity in hybrid plants.

Innovation Solution

The development of the watermelon line TML-EJ09112, which is a tetraploid inbred line with specific physiological and morphological characteristics, including herbicide tolerance and resistance traits, achieved through pedigree breeding and genetic transformation techniques, ensuring uniformity and stability across various environmental conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If cross-pollination between different plant varieties is used, then genetic diversity and trait combination are improved, but uniformity and predictability of performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrait combinationVSAvoiduniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the breeding process into distinct phases: creating heterozygous F1 hybrids through controlled cross-pollination, then self-pollinating to generate F2 generation for selection. This segmentation allows systematic combination of desirable traits while establishing uniform inbred lines through repeated selfing, resolving the contradiction between genetic diversity and uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by first creating uniform inbred lines through multiple generations of self-pollination and selection before performing the final cross-pollination to produce F1 hybrids. This preliminary development of homogeneous parent lines ensures that the subsequent cross produces uniform F1 progeny with predictable performance, while still allowing for trait combination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If self-pollination for many generations is performed, then uniformity and homozygosity are improved, but breeding flexibility and trait combination capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveuniformityVSAvoidbreeding flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning between self-pollination (for uniformity) and cross-pollination (for flexibility) based on breeding objectives. Inbred lines are developed through self-pollination to achieve uniformity, then these uniform lines are crossed to produce F1 hybrids that exhibit heterosis and breeding flexibility. This dynamic switching allows the system to achieve both uniformity and adaptability at different stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If pedigree breeding methods are used, then development of inbred lines is improved, but time required for breeding program increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinbred line developmentVSAvoidbreeding program duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies continuity of useful action by implementing recurrent selection where the most promising F2 plants are continuously self-pollinated and selected for desired traits across multiple generations. This continuous process of selfing and selection efficiently produces uniform inbred lines in fewer generations compared to traditional pedigree methods, reducing overall breeding time while maintaining line uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS9066477B2Watermelon variety TML-EJ09112
Publication Date: 2015.06.30 SEMINIS VEGETABLE SEEDS INC

AI summary

The invention provides seed and plants of the watermelon line designated TML-EJ09112. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of watermelon line TML-EJ09112, and to methods for producing a watermelon plant produced by crossing a plant of watermelon line TML-EJ09112 with itself or with another watermelon plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of watermelon line TML-EJ09112, including the fruits and gametes of such plants.