Methods of regeneration of medicago sativa and expressing foreign DNA in same

摘要

The invention relates to improved transformation and regeneration of alfalfa, Medicago sativa. A method is used to transform alfalfa by using particle acceleration. Optimum results with mature cotyledons occurs when bombarding after 24 to 120 hours of imbibing water. Regeneration and transformation of alfalfa is greatly improved by using immature cotyledons or embryos of immature cotyledons for transformation and regeneration Immature cotyledons include those up to about 25 days past pollination, and preferably include cotyledons excised at 10-15 days past pollination, most preferably including those excised at about 10 days past pollination. These cotyledons have a light green to translucent appearance. Plants resulting from bombardment of somatic embryos of immature cotyledons retain regeneration ability.