Hybridization of plants is done to encourage the development of a more desirable plant through the mixing of genetic material from two plants. Manipulating plants genetically dates back to the experiments of Gregor Mendal in the latter half of the eighteenth century. Mendel observed that the offspring of certain plants had physical characteristics similar to the physical characteristics of the plant's parents or ancestors. He examined pea plants to quantify their physical traits in an attempt to predict the traits that would occur n later generations.

It is because of Mendel's work that there are two known factors for each genetic trait, one dominant and the other recessive. The interaction of factors with similar factors from anther plant determines whether the dominant or recessive characteristic is expressed in the offspring.

Mendel's work lead to selective breeding. For a century the creation of a new...