Frontiers in Plant Science (Oct 2021)

Maize Transformation: From Plant Material to the Release of Genetically Modified and Edited Varieties

  • Juliana Erika de Carvalho Teixeira Yassitepe,
  • Juliana Erika de Carvalho Teixeira Yassitepe,
  • Juliana Erika de Carvalho Teixeira Yassitepe,
  • Viviane Cristina Heinzen da Silva,
  • Viviane Cristina Heinzen da Silva,
  • José Hernandes-Lopes,
  • José Hernandes-Lopes,
  • José Hernandes-Lopes,
  • Ricardo Augusto Dante,
  • Ricardo Augusto Dante,
  • Ricardo Augusto Dante,
  • Isabel Rodrigues Gerhardt,
  • Isabel Rodrigues Gerhardt,
  • Isabel Rodrigues Gerhardt,
  • Fernanda Rausch Fernandes,
  • Fernanda Rausch Fernandes,
  • Fernanda Rausch Fernandes,
  • Priscila Alves da Silva,
  • Priscila Alves da Silva,
  • Leticia Rios Vieira,
  • Leticia Rios Vieira,
  • Vanessa Bonatti,
  • Vanessa Bonatti,
  • Paulo Arruda,
  • Paulo Arruda,
  • Paulo Arruda

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.766702
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12

Abstract

Read online

Over the past decades, advances in plant biotechnology have allowed the development of genetically modified maize varieties that have significantly impacted agricultural management and improved the grain yield worldwide. To date, genetically modified varieties represent 30% of the world’s maize cultivated area and incorporate traits such as herbicide, insect and disease resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, high yield, and improved nutritional quality. Maize transformation, which is a prerequisite for genetically modified maize development, is no longer a major bottleneck. Protocols using morphogenic regulators have evolved significantly towards increasing transformation frequency and genotype independence. Emerging technologies using either stable or transient expression and tissue culture-independent methods, such as direct genome editing using RNA-guided endonuclease system as an in vivo desired-target mutator, simultaneous double haploid production and editing/haploid-inducer-mediated genome editing, and pollen transformation, are expected to lead significant progress in maize biotechnology. This review summarises the significant advances in maize transformation protocols, technologies, and applications and discusses the current status, including a pipeline for trait development and regulatory issues related to current and future genetically modified and genetically edited maize varieties.

Keywords