Factors affecting soybean cotyledonary node transformation.

Cotyledonary node transformation efficiency was evaluated using a sonication assisted Agrobacterium-mediated transformation (SAAT) protocol, three dissimilar A. tumefaciens strains, and explants derived from 28 diverse cultivars and/or genotypes of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. The explants were evaluated at 10 and 45 days after co-cultivation for transformation with a binary vector containing both a GUS-intron gene and an NPTII selectable marker. The best overall strain of A. tumefaciens was determined to be KYRT1 based on stable GUS transformation of soybean cotyledonary node explants measured at the terminal 45 day evaluation point. SAAT did not increase stable transformation at 45 days post co-cultivation. SAAT was determined to significantly decrease shoot proliferation of some genotypes, but it is unclear what effect this may have on the recovery of transformed shoots. Significant differences were also detected between genotypes for transformation and shoot proliferation frequency.