T-DNA TRANSFER IN MERISTEMATIC CELLS OF MAIZE PROVIDED WITH INTRACELLULAR AGROBACTERIUM

Agrobacterium has been established as a tool for gene delivery to most dicotyledonous plant species. However, it is not generally efficient in monocotyledonous plant species, especially not in Graminae. In maiz e, Agrobacterium-mediated DNA transfer has been detected but early dev elopmental stages in the plant proved incompetent as recipients. This research tests whether the lack of competence in young immature embryo s of maize could be overcome by providing Agrobacterium in the interio r of the plant cell. A microinjection technique was used to target sin gle meristematic cells and prove competence to Agrobacterium. This res ponse is dependent on the maize plant genotype.