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Plant Regeneration from Protoplasts Isolated from Embryogenic Maize Cell Cultures

Abstract

Genetic engineering of maize via protoplast technology has been limited due to lack of plant regeneration from maize protoplasts. We have developed a system of protoplast culture that results in high plating efficiency from embryogenic protoplasts and can be followed by plant regeneration. Maize protoplasts were grown on filters directly over a feeder layer of nurse cells in liquid medium. Initial condition and subsequent growth of feeder cells were critical in obtaining a plating efficiency of 10% from protoplasts. Protoplasts were digested from embryogenic cell suspension cultures, and recovered callus retained the morphogenic potential of initial donor cultures. The system has been successfully used with protoplasts of two maize inbreds, one of which is an important commercial line.

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Rhodes, C., Lowe, K. & Ruby, K. Plant Regeneration from Protoplasts Isolated from Embryogenic Maize Cell Cultures. Nat Biotechnol 6, 56–60 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0188-56

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