Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Apollo Creed Lettuce: Advanced Cultivar Innovation

Publication ID: 24-11856904_0001_PTD
Published: October 26, 2025
Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Apollo Creed Lettuce: Advanced Cultivar Innovation,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11856904_0001_PTD, Published October 26, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11856904_0001_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,856,904.

Background and Problem Solved

The original Apollo Creed lettuce cultivar, while novel and desirable, has limitations in terms of yield, shelf life, and disease susceptibility. The present invention addresses these limitations by introducing direct improvements and enhancements to the original cultivar, providing growers and consumers with a superior product.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce novel and non-obvious improvements to the original Apollo Creed cultivar, including increased yield and shelf life, improved disease resistance, and enhanced growth characteristics. These improvements are not obvious from the original patent and represent a significant advancement in the field of lettuce breeding.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the invention could include the use of different breeding techniques, such as marker-assisted selection or genome editing, to introduce the desired traits. Variations of the invention could also include the application of these enhancements to other lettuce cultivars or related crops.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced Apollo Creed lettuce cultivar has significant commercial potential in the fresh produce market, offering growers and consumers a superior product with improved yield, shelf life, and disease resistance. The invention could also have applications in the development of new lettuce cultivars and related crops, providing a competitive advantage in the market.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A01 A01H6/1472
A A01 A01H5/10
A A01 A01H5/12

Field of Art

Plant breeding and genetics, specifically focused on lettuce cultivar development, involving techniques of selective breeding, genetic modification, and crop improvement strategies

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A plant breeder or agricultural geneticist with advanced degree, expertise in crop improvement techniques, familiarity with lettuce breeding methodologies, and knowledge of genetic marker selection and stress tolerance enhancement

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the disclosed variations represent predictable extensions of standard plant breeding techniques applied to the Apollo Creed lettuce cultivar. The improvements in core diameter, stress tolerance, and disease resistance are consistent with established agricultural breeding objectives. The systematic approach of backcrossing, marker-assisted selection, and controlled environment optimization represents standard practice in crop improvement.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Original Apollo Creed lettuce cultivar with defined genetic characteristics
PTD Variation
Lettuce cultivar with increased core diameter and length
Obviousness Reasoning
Modifying plant morphological characteristics through selective breeding is a predictable and routine technique for improving crop yield and marketability
Source Patent Element
Base genetic material of Apollo Creed lettuce
PTD Variation
Backcrossing to introduce abiotic stress tolerance
Obviousness Reasoning
Backcrossing is a standard breeding technique for introducing desirable traits from parent cultivars, representing a known and predictable method of genetic improvement
Source Patent Element
Original lettuce cultivar genetic profile
PTD Variation
Introduction of genetic markers for delayed flowering and reduced bolting
Obviousness Reasoning
Identifying and selecting genetic markers to modify plant development characteristics is a well-established and predictable approach in plant breeding
Source Patent Element
Base lettuce cultivar with inherent growth characteristics
PTD Variation
Controlled environment system for reducing downy mildew infection risk
Obviousness Reasoning
Developing integrated growing systems that mitigate plant disease risks represents a logical and predictable extension of crop improvement strategies
Source Patent Element
Original lettuce harvesting and storage methods
PTD Variation
Method for extending shelf life through controlled atmosphere treatment
Obviousness Reasoning
Implementing post-harvest treatment techniques to extend crop viability is a known and predictable approach in agricultural product management
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11856904 (Apollo Creed lettuce cultivar), the variations disclosed herein would be obvious to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art, as they represent predictable extensions of standard plant breeding techniques, involving routine optimization of genetic characteristics, breeding methodologies, and crop management strategies. The disclosed variations do not rise to the level of non-obvious innovation and would be readily conceived by a skilled practitioner in the field of agricultural genetics and plant breeding.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,856,904
TitleLettuce cultivar Apollo Creed
Assignee(s)Southwest Genetics, LLC