Burbank , Luther

Burbank , Luther
(1849–1926) American plant breeder
Burbank was brought up on a farm in Lancaster, Massachusetts, and received only an elementary education. He began breeding plants in 1870, when he bought a seven-hectare plot of land. After about a year he had developed the Burbank potato, which was introduced to Ireland to help combat the blight epidemics. By selling the rights to this potato he made $150, which he used to travel to California, where three of his brothers had already settled.
Burbank established a nursery and experimental farm in Santa Rosa, where the climate was especially conducive to fruit and flower breeding – his occupation for the next 50 years. He worked by making multiple crosses between native and introduced strains, using his remarkable skill to select commercially promising types. These were then grafted onto mature plants to hasten development, so that their value could be rapidly assessed. In this way he produced numerous new cultivated varieties of plums, lilies, and many other ornamentals and fruits.
The works of Charles Darwin, particularly The Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication, greatly influenced Burbank. However his success in varying plant characters reinforced his belief in the inheritance of acquired characteristics, even though he knew of Gregor Mendel's research.

Scientists. . 2011.

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  • Burbank,Luther — Burbank, Luther. 1849 1926. American horticulturist who developed countless new varieties of fruits, vegetables, and flowers, including the Burbank potato and the Shasta daisy. * * * …   Universalium

  • Burbank, Luther — born March 7, 1849, Lancaster, Mass., U.S. died April 11, 1926, Santa Rosa, Cal. U.S. plant breeder. He was reared on a farm and never obtained a college education. Influenced by Charles Darwin s writings on domesticated plants, he began a plant… …   Universalium

  • Burbank, Luther — (7 mar.1849, Lancaster, Mass., EE.UU.–11 abr.1926 Santa Rosa, Cal.). Fitogenetista estadounidense. Fue criado en el campo y nunca recibió educación superior. A la edad de 21 años, influenciado por los escritos de Charles Darwin sobre plantas… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Luther Burbank — Nacimiento 7 de marzo de 1849 Lancaster (Massachusetts), EE.UU. Fallecimiento 11 de ab …   Wikipedia Español

  • Luther Burbank — (March 7 1849 – April 11, 1926) [ [http://www.invent.org/hall of fame/21.html Invent Now | Hall of Fame | Search | Inventor Profile ] ] was an American botanist, horticulturist and a pioneer in agricultural science.He developed more than 800… …   Wikipedia

  • Burbank — is both a common placename in English speaking countries and a common surname (last name). The name Burbank is of English origin and means lives on the castle s hill . PlacesAustralia*Burbank, Queensland *Burbank, South AustraliaUnited… …   Wikipedia

  • Burbank (Kalifornien) — Burbank ist der Name folgenderer Orte: Burbank (Queensland), Australien Burbank (South Australia), Australien Burbank (Los Angeles County), Kalifornien, USA Burbank (Santa Clara County), Kalifornien, USA Burbank (Illinois), USA Burbank (Ohio),… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Luther Burbank — Pour les articles homonymes, voir Burbank. Luther Burbank vers 1902 Luther Burbank (7 mars 1849 à Lancaster, Massach …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Luther — /looh theuhr/; Ger. /loot euhrdd/, n. 1. Martin /mahr tn/; Ger. /mahrdd teen/, 1483 1546, German theologian and author: leader, in Germany, of the Protestant Reformation. 2. a male given name: from Germanic words meaning famous and army. * * *… …   Universalium

  • Luther — (as used in expressions) Burbank, Luther King, Martin Luther, Jr. Powell, Colin (Luther) Luther Robinson Eugene Luther Vidal …   Enciclopedia Universal

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