PRODUCTION OF TRANSGENIC MAIZE PLANTS AND PROGENY BY BOMBARDMENT OF HI-II IMMATURE EMBRYOS

Production of transgenic maize (Zea mays L.) callus, plants, and proge ny from microprojectile bombardment of 2-5-d cultured Hi-II immature e mbryos is described. Histological evidence indicates that these tissue s are amenable to transformation due to surface layer cell division of the scutellum. Two out of every 100 bombarded embryos produced transg enic callus and R(0) transgenic plants were both male and female ferti le. Expected segregation of transgenes was observed in progeny. The pr imary advantage of bombarding these tissues is increased male and fema le fertility of transgenic plants compared with those produced using l ong-term callus or suspension cultures.