I have been looking into the history of genetic modification. I located a source that stated that the 1st fertile interspecific hybrid was created in the 1700s and moreso, that the 1st fertile intergeneric cross was created in the 1920s. I found that the first artifical interspecific hybrid was created by Thomas Fairchild in 1719 (carnation x sweet williams), but I can't find any info on whether it was fertile. I noticed also that the first cereal hybrid was bred between wheat and rye - triticale - in 1876 by Wilson. As well, I noticed that the first case of hybrid vigor was observed in tobacco by Joseph K lreuter in the 1760s. I was guessing orchids, but their first interspecific cross was done in the early 1900s. I also came across mention of an interspecific cross in Darwin's Origin of Species, where W. Herbert crossed Crinum capense with C. revolutum to produce fertile hybrids, but this must have been in the 1850s. As to the 1st fertile intergeneric hybrid, I have no leads.
2007-08-23
16:21:40
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1 answers
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asked by
genedragon
1