ABSTRACT
Attempts to create genetically superior plant species predate the age of genetic engineering by almost two centuries. Lacking the knowledge and ability to influence genes directly, the studies had to be carried out by cross-breeding. Nevertheless, some notable successes have been achieved, such as Luther Burbank’s fruit miracles, Barbara McClintock’s pioneer studies with maize (1), Norman Borlaug’s green revolution in high yield wheat and rice, extensive cross pollenation for seed corns, a host of novelty developments in horticulture, refining the tissue culture process to create what amounts to cloning by using plant growth hormones with proper plant nutrients, creation of somatic cell fusion (2), as well as a multitude of other inventive improvements too numerous to list.
