Improved Soybean Transformation and Regeneration Methods

The current invention from the University of Missouri describes the proprietary method of using briefly imbibed split seeds and specific type of wounding on the nodal area of the explant. This is used in combination with an optimal exogenous concentration of plant growth regulator to achieve efficient soybean regeneration and transformation as well as high frequency transgene inheritance via Agrobacterium tumefaciens.

Background

The conventional soybean breeding is restricted by long-term breeding period and limited gene pool for many desirable traits. In spite of developments, stable transformation of soybean is still relatively less efficient than many other crop species.

Applications

• Improved protocol as high transformation frequency of soybean is much necessary in molecular breeding and research.
• Methodology and protocol is also applicable for improving regeneration and transformation of some other plant species.

Advantages

• Explants from briefly imbibed split seeds and deliberate wounding them have higher shoot induction and regeneration efficiencies in soybeans as well as many other crops
• Achievement of efficient stable transformation frequency of 16.6% in an elite soybean genotype with 79% transgene inheritance
• Achievement of 10.9% efficient stable transformation efficiency in soybean reference genotype Williams and 85% high rate of transgene inheritance
• No undesirable effects such as multiple DNA insertions in transgenic plants or a lower transformation frequency
• The high transgene inheritance efficiency of soybean reference genotype Williams 82 in this study is much higher than those reported before with 76% and 50%, respectively

State of Development

The technology has been tested and demonstrated in practical settings including a commercial project. A publication is in works.

Additional Details