White Kohlrabi Genetic Trait Introgression
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a demand in the vegetable market for kohlrabi varieties with unique color traits that differ from the traditional light green or purple hues, and existing kohlrabi plants lack a distinct white coloration.
Innovation Solution
A mutant kohlrabi with an 'extra white' trait, characterized by a very white stem, petioles, and bulb, caused by a single dominant gene, is developed by crossing a parent plant with seeds deposited under NCIMB accession number NCIMB 41530 or its progeny, allowing for the introduction of this trait into various kohlrabi types through selective breeding and genetic marker-assisted selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional kohlrabi varieties are used, then the plants maintain their typical light green or purple coloration, but they fail to meet consumer demand for color variation and uniqueness in the vegetable market
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the genetic parameters of kohlrabi plants to alter the color phenotype. Specifically, it introduces a dominant gene that suppresses anthocyanin and chlorophyll production, transforming the color parameter from green/purple to white. This genetic parameter change enables the plant to express a novel color trait that meets consumer demand for color variation while maintaining reliable white coloration in homozygous plants.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a new color trait is introduced through mutation, then color uniqueness is achieved, but the complexity of breeding and selection processes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms in the breeding process by using visual color assessment as a selection criterion. Plants exhibiting the white color phenotype (indicating presence of the dominant allele) are selected for further breeding, while green/purple plants (recessive phenotype) are excluded. This feedback loop of phenotype observation and selective breeding simplifies the propagation of the new color trait without requiring complex molecular diagnostics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing mutagenesis or introducing the dominant white-color gene into kohlrabi plants before the breeding process begins. This preliminary genetic modification creates a founder plant with the desired trait, which then serves as the basis for subsequent breeding programs. By establishing the genetic foundation in advance, the patent reduces the complexity of developing color uniqueness from scratch in later breeding generations.
3Reliability
If homozygous parent plants are used for breeding, then the extra white trait can be reliably transmitted to hybrids, but the availability of such plants is limited and requires specific breeding programs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing homozygous white-color parent plants through prior breeding programs or mutagenesis before hybrid production begins. These pre-developed homozygous parents serve as ready-to-use breeding stock that can reliably transmit the white color trait to hybrid offspring. This preliminary preparation of parental lines makes the trait transmission reliable while the developed homozygous lines become available for use in commercial hybrid production.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a kohlrabi plant carrying a genetic trait that leads to petioles, stems and bulb having an extra white color at harvest stage as compared to the petioles, stems and bulb of a kohlrabi plant not carrying the said genetic trait. The extra white color may be a color graded in the white group for example the color 155 A or B or C or NN 155 A or B or C or D and in the greed-green group for example the colors 190 D or 191 D or 192 D or 193 D according to The RHS Color Chart, fifth edition. The plant may be obtainable by crossing a first kohlrabi parent plant with a second kohlrabi parent plant, wherein one of the parents is a plant grown from seeds of which a representative sample was deposited with the NCIMB under deposit accession number NCIMB 41530 or a progeny plant thereof and selecting for plants which have the genetic trait that leads to an extra white color of the petioles, stems and bulb as compared to the petioles, stems and bulb of a plant not carrying the genetic trait.