The competence of maize shoot meristems for transformation of Egyptian maize inbred lines [electronic resource].

Includes references.

A regeneration system was established for elite Egyptian maize inbred lines using shoot meristems as explants. This system was previously reported as genotype non-specific. Line Gz643 was identified as the best line revealing the highest regeneration frequency. Addition of BA and 2,4- D greatly enhanced the formation of multiple shoot clumps and the regenerability of some of the tested lines. Transformation was performed with the particle delivery system using the GUS and Bar genes in a single plasmid (pAB-6) or two plasmids (pAct1-F and pTW-a). Different transformation parameters were tested i.e. acceleration pressure and number of shots. The use of acceleration pressure 1550 psi. and four shots per plate (for transformation with pAB-6 or with pAct 1-F and pTW-a) gave the best results as expressed by the number of blue spots in the GUS assay . Stable transformation was confinned in Ro transfonned plants by means of histochemical GUS assay. Moreover, PCR and Southern blot analysis proved the integration of the full-length genes in some of the transgenic plants.

Summary in Arabic.

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