Maize Genetic Transformation

Maize (Zea mays) is one of the main food crops worldwide, with a global production of 5.856.396 tons and 159.531.007 Ha. harvested in 2009/2010. Due to the importance of maize production is necessary to improve the yields using biotechnological tools. Plant transformation techniques are essential for the introduction of novel useful traits occurring across kingdoms or available in sexually incompatible species. About 20 years have elapsed since the initiation of the first experiments which led to the production of fertile transgenic maize plants. The main methods used in plant transformation technology are biological or physical. The biological method most widely utilized is Agrobacterium-mediated transfer.The physical method most widely utilized is the biolistic or particle bombardment. The aim of this work is to describe the entire process for the development of fertile transgenic maize plants obtained by microprojectile bombardment and analyze the biosafety standards involved.