Inbred Corn Line WUC55 Breeding Method

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Solution Overview

Problem

The development of new inbred corn plants and hybrid corn varieties is a slow and costly process, requiring expertise and numerous steps, and existing inbred parent corn lines lose commercial competitiveness over time, necessitating the need for improved germplasm with enhanced yield, disease resistance, and adaptability.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of the inbred corn line WUC55, which can be used for producing inbred and hybrid corn plants through self-pollination, sib-pollination, and cross-pollination, with methods such as pedigree breeding, backcrossing, haploid breeding, and mutation breeding to introduce desirable traits, and the use of male sterility systems to prevent self-pollination, along with the application of agricultural chemicals for stress resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional inbreeding techniques (self-pollination and sib-pollination) are used to develop new inbred corn lines, then new inbred corn lines can be developed, but the process is slow and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevelopment of new inbred linesVSAvoidbreeding process time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing a structured multi-generation inbreeding program where S1, S2, and S3 generations are systematically developed in advance. This preliminary development of inbred lines through controlled self-pollination over multiple generations prepares the genetic material beforehand, enabling faster subsequent hybridization and variety development without repeating the entire inbreeding process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The breeding process is segmented into distinct generational stages (S1, S2, S3 generations) with specific selection criteria and pollination controls for each stage. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple lines simultaneously and enables systematic evaluation at each generation, reducing overall development time compared to undifferentiated traditional breeding approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If extensive inbreeding is practiced to develop homozygous inbred lines, then genetic uniformity is achieved, but line vigor decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegenetic uniformityVSAvoidline vigor
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by implementing dynamic selection criteria that adapt across generations. In the S1 generation, selection focuses on survival and basic uniformity. In S2, selection intensifies for specific agronomic traits and uniformity. In S3, selection optimizes for both vigor recovery and genetic stability. This dynamic adjustment of selection pressure maintains vigor while achieving the necessary genetic uniformity for inbred lines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key parameters throughout the inbreeding process: selection intensity increases from S1 to S3, while pollination control becomes progressively more stringent. The planting density and environmental conditions are also optimized at each generation to maximize vigor expression. These parameter changes allow the line to maintain productivity while achieving genetic uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Duration of action of stationary object

If existing inbred parent corn lines are used over time, then breeding continuity is maintained, but commercial competitiveness is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebreeding program continuityVSAvoidcommercial competitiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains continuity of useful action by establishing a continuous inbreeding and selection program that produces updated inbred lines (S1, S2, S3 generations) in successive cycles. Rather than relying on static existing lines, the program continuously generates improved inbred parent lines through systematic self-pollination and selection, ensuring ongoing commercial competitiveness while maintaining breeding program continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copying by replicating successful breeding methodologies and selection criteria across multiple independent lines and generations. The S1, S2, and S3 generation protocols are copied and applied systematically to different parental lines, enabling scalable production of competitive inbred lines that maintain the proven effectiveness of the breeding approach while adapting to current commercial requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS9681631B1Inbred corn line WUC55
Publication Date: 2017.06.20 AGRIGENETICS INC

AI summary

An inbred corn line, designated WUC55, the plants and seeds of the inbred corn line WUC55, methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, produced by crossing the inbred corn line WUC55 with itself or with another corn plant, and hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line WUC55 with another corn line or plant and to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic corn plants produced by that method. This invention also relates to inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line WUC55, to methods for producing other inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line WUC55 and to the inbred corn lines derived by the use of those methods.