Genetic transformation of Cavendish banana (Musa spp. AAA group) cv 'Grand Nain' via microprojectile bombardment

An effective method has been developed for the stable transformation and regeneration of Cavendish banana (Musa spp. AAA group) cv 'Grand Nain' by microprojectile bombardment. Embryogenic cell suspensions were initiated using immature male flowers as the explant. Cells were co-bombarded with the neomycin phosphotransferase (nptII) selectable marker gene under the control of a banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) promoter or the CaMV 35S promoter, and either the β-glucuronidase (uidA) reporter gene or BBTV genes under the control of the maize polyubiquitin promoter. Plants were regenerated, under selection with kanamycin, that were co-transformed with nptII and either the uidA or BBTV genes. Molecular characterisation of transformants demonstrated that the transgenes had been stably integrated into the banana genome.