Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)

Abstract

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) targeting immature embryo explants is a route to introduce transgenic alleles into the crop. The protocol requires maintenance of quality stock plants under greenhouse conditions for a constant supply of immature embryo explants. This is typically carried out by a regular sowing of seeds, minimal use of pesticides, and monitoring of plants to document pollen dispersal and bagging of heads. The time frame from explant inoculation to establishment of a primary transgenic event in the greenhouse typically ranges from 4 to 6 months. Seed set in the primary transformants is comparable to greenhouse-grown stock plants, with the majority of the transgenic alleles being inherited as a single functional locus.