Nitric oxide donor regulates Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation efficiency in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill]

The present study investigates the potentiality of Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) to enhance the efficiency of genetic transformation in soybean. Half-seeds cultured on co-cultivation [4.44 μM N6-benzyl adenine (BA) and 30 μM SNP]; shoot induction (4.44 μM BA and 30 μM SNP) and rooting medium [4.93 μM indole 3-butyric acid (IBA) and 30 μM SNP] exhibited improved transformation efficiency (34.6%) in contrast to the regeneration system devoid of SNP (23%). The putatively transformed plants were evaluated by GUS assay and molecular analysis like PCR and Southern hybridization. Furthermore, the transformation system developed herein entails a shorter period (75-days) for developing plantlets from half-seeds of soybean. The outcome of this study revealed that the addition of SNP increased regeneration efficiency of plants, which translated to improved transformation efficiency in soybean.