Genetic Transformation Using Maize Immature Zygotic Embryos

Epidermal and subepidermal cells in the abaxial, basal region of the maize (Zea mays L.) immature zygotic embryo (IZE) scutellum can be induced by exogenous auxin to proliferate and undergo somatic embryogenesis. Successful genetic transformation of IZEs depends not only on optimizing transformation parameters for these totipotent cells, but also on achieving high embryogenic callus induction frequency (ECIF) in a population of targeted explants. In maize, ECIF is strongly influenced by genotype, the tissue culture media used, and the interaction of these two factors. Altering tissue culture media components to increase ECIF and/or transformation frequency (TF) has been one approach used to expand the range of maize genotypes amenable to genetic transformation using the IZE. This chapter outlines such an approach – an Agrobacterium -mediated transformation protocol is used for direct-targeting IZEs of the hybrid Hi Type II and inbred B104 lines. Two different media regimes are used for successful culture and transformation of two distinct genotypes.