Edible Horticulture

Introduction

Plant horticulture means changing plant genes and breeding to produce more edible parts and making them resistance to disease and rot.

To 1790

Countless, anonymous people since antiquity picked seeds from unreaped crops, sorted them into the best-looking and planted them or sold them to be planted to others to continually improve soil productivity.   They also improved planting methods, such as crop rotation and fertilization to improve soil productivity.

In 1705, the English physiologist, Stephen Hales, discovered that air contributed to plant nourishment.   Before then, it was generally believed that only water was necessary. ^{Asimov 202}

In 1724, Paul Dudley of New England published a work on fruit trees, thereby becoming the first American horticulturalist. ^{Schles 79}

1790-1799

1800-1809

1810-1819

1820-1829

1830-1839

1840-1849

1850-1859

1860-1869

1870-1879

In 1873, Luther Burbank, the famous American horticulturalist, while still living in Massachusetts, bred the "Burbank" potato, a highly successful potato.   It is highly productive and adaptive to soil and climate extremes.   Many later strains of this potato, e.g., the Russet Burbank (Idaho Baker), are still grown successfully. ^{Howard 59}

In 1875, Luther Burbank established a plant nursery in Santa Rosa, CA, where he bred new strains of fruits, vegetables, grains, grasses and flowers.   Over a period of 50 years he will become the most prolific market breeder of more productive crops and ornamentals in the world.   He introduced several thousands of plants and over 200 varieties of fruit alone.   By 1945, 20 of his 113 plums and prunes were still widely planted throughout the world. ^{Howard 7-8}

1880-1889

In 1888, Luther Burbank bred the "Burbank" plum, a highly successful commercial plum. ^{Howard 21}

1890-1899

In 1892, Luther Burbank bred the "Wickson" plum, a highly successful commercial plum. ^{Howard 25}

In 1897, Luther Burbank bred the "Maynard" plum, a highly successful commercial plum. ^{Howard 25}

In 1899, Luther Burbank bred the "Climax" plum, a highly successful commercial plum. ^{Howard 21}

1900-1909

In 1900, Luther Burbank bred the "Duarte" plum, a highly successful commercial plum. ^{Howard 21}

In 1904, Luther Burbank bred the "Eldorado" plum, a highly successful commercial plum. ^{Howard 22}

In 1906, Luther Burbank bred the "Santa Rosa" plum, a highly successful commercial plum. ^{Howard 28}

In 1907, Luther Burbank bred the "Formosa" plum, a highly successful commercial plum. ^{Howard 23}

In 1908, Luther Burbank bred the "Burbank Admiral" pea, a highly successful commercial pea that comes in five different sizes suitable for commercial canning. ^{Howard 57}

1910-1919

In 1911, Luther Burbank bred the "Beauty" plum, a highly successful commercial plum. ^{Howard 20}

In 1918, Luther Burbank bred the "Quality" spring wheat, a highly successful commercial wheat.   It is not resistant to rust, but gives 23 to 26 bushels per acre (1945) in northern, damp climates. ^{Howard 49}

1920-1929

1930-1939

On September 19, 1934, the "Rutgers" tomato was christened from 4 prototypes developed from experiments beginning 1928 by Dr. Lyman G. Schermerhorn and associates at the New Jersey Experiment Station at Rutgers Univ.   It was large, red, free of skin blemishes, and ripened from inside out.   It became the tomato of choice among commercial growers. ^{Cunningham 74-75}

1940-1949

1950-1959

1960-1969

1970-1979

1980-1989

1990-1999