Transformation of soybean (Glycine max (L.)Merr.) via Agrobacterium is
affected by the susceptibility of genotypes to specific Agrobacterium
strains. Four Brazilian soybean cultivars were screened with A. tumef
aciens strains A281=pZA3, A208 and C58. The tumor frequency and size v
aried significantly among cultivars and strains. The relative frequenc
y of tumor formation was greatest for strains A208 and C58 on all soyb
ean cultivars tested. The cultivar BRAGG was most susceptible. Tumors
showed hormone-independent growth. Tumor segments were opine positive.
Tumors induced by A281=pZA3 also expressed the reporter GUS gene. The
results indicated that some of the Brazilian soybean cultivars, e.g.
BRAGG, can be used in Agrobacterium mediated gene transfer experiments
.