Maize (Zea mays) Hi-II Transformation via Agrobacterium-Mediated T-DNA Transfer

Genetic transformation of maize via Agrobacterium tumefaciens is still more art than science, with different researchers achieving substantially different transformation results. This article describes our advanced Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system in Hi-II maize. The system utilizes simple binary vectors and immature embryos for the transformation, employing the bar gene as a plant selectable marker in combination with bialaphos for subsequent culture selection. The transformation process is efficient and highly reproducible. Certain inbred maize lines can also be transformed with some modification of the system. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.