IXL D.3 eighth grade language arts Luther Burbank was a pioneer in agricultural science. During his career, he developed more than eight hundred varieties and strains of plants. One of his first concerns was to come up with a potato that was resistant to disease. The result was the Russet Burbank potato, one of his most famous creations. Another Burbank creation was the Sans Noyau. This special plum, unlike typical varieties, had no pit and was therefore easier to eat. Burbank was also responsible for the Paradox walnut tree, which could grow up to sixty feet in fifteen years. This was a big improvement on other walnut trees, which can take twice as long to grow.