Enhanced Soybean Cultivar: Drought & Disease Resistant

Publication ID: 24-11856914_0001_PTD

Published: October 26, 2025

Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Enhanced Soybean Cultivar: Drought & Disease Resistant,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11856914_0001_PTD, Published October 26, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11856914_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. 11,856,914.

Background and Problem Solved

The original soybean cultivar 01140108, while exhibiting desirable characteristics, has inherent limitations such as susceptibility to drought, brown stem rot, and flooding. The present invention addresses these limitations by introducing targeted genetic modifications and breeding methods to create an enhanced soybean cultivar.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The novelty of the present invention lies in the targeted and synergistic combination of genetic modifications and breeding methods, which collectively provide a significant improvement over the original soybean cultivar 01140108. The inventive step is the recognition of the specific limitations of the original cultivar and the development of a comprehensive approach to address these limitations.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the invention may include the use of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to introduce targeted mutations, the development of marker-assisted selection for rapid breeding, or the creation of hybrid soybean plants combining the enhanced traits with other desirable characteristics.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced soybean cultivar 01140108 has significant commercial potential in the agricultural industry, particularly in regions prone to drought, flooding, or disease. The invention is expected to appeal to soybean farmers, agricultural companies, and research institutions seeking to improve crop yields and resilience.

CPC Classifications

Section	Class	Group
A	A01	A01H6/542
A	A01	A01H5/10

Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)

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Field of Art

Plant Biotechnology and Agricultural Genetics, specifically soybean breeding and genetic modification, requiring advanced degrees in plant science, molecular biology, or agricultural genetics with expertise in crop improvement techniques

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A plant geneticist or breeder with knowledge of molecular breeding techniques, gene editing, marker-assisted selection, and understanding of soybean genetic variability and stress response mechanisms

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the disclosed variations represent standard breeding and genetic modification strategies commonly applied to improve soybean cultivars. The modifications target known limitations in the original cultivar and utilize well-established techniques in plant biotechnology. The systematic approach of addressing specific traits like stress tolerance, yield, and disease resistance represents predictable extensions of the source patent's foundational germplasm.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element

Original soybean cultivar 01140108 with baseline genetic characteristics

PTD Variation

Up-regulation of drought resistance alleles through targeted genetic modification

Obviousness Reasoning

Drought resistance is a well-known target for genetic improvement, and gene editing techniques like CRISPR are predictable methods for introducing such modifications in crop plants

Source Patent Element

Base genetic material of soybean cultivar 01140108

PTD Variation

Backcrossing with high-yield soybean plants to improve bushels per acre (BU/A)

Obviousness Reasoning

Backcrossing is a standard breeding technique for trait introgression, and yield improvement is a routine objective in crop breeding programs

Source Patent Element

Original soybean germplasm with potential disease susceptibility

PTD Variation

Genetic alterations to reduce brown stem rot symptoms

Obviousness Reasoning

Disease resistance is a predictable and desirable modification, with multiple known genetic strategies for achieving improved plant health

Source Patent Element

Initial soybean cultivar with standard emergence characteristics

PTD Variation

Genetic modifications to improve plant emergence rates

Obviousness Reasoning

Emergence rate is a quantifiable trait with known genetic and environmental influences, making targeted improvements a standard breeding objective

Source Patent Element

Base soybean genetic material with standard stress responses

PTD Variation

Cross-pollination to develop improved flooding resistance

Obviousness Reasoning

Developing stress-tolerant crop varieties is a predictable and systematic approach in plant breeding, particularly for environmental adaptation

35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 103, the variations disclosed in this publication would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention, based on the teachings of US Patent 11856914. The systematic modifications represent predictable extensions of known breeding techniques and genetic improvement strategies, thereby rendering potential patent claims obvious and anticipating overly broad protection of soybean genetic improvements.

Original Patent Information

Patent Number	US 11,856,914
Title	Soybean cultivar 01140108
Assignee(s)	MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC, Stine Seed Farm, Inc.