Enhance Maize <i>(Zea mays L.)</i> Tolerance to Abiotic Stress Through the Genetic Transformation with Anthranilate Synthase (ASA2 Gene) Using Particle Bombardment

Abstract

The agricultural plans in Egypt aim to increase maize production and yield to reduce the importation and to meet the country's need from maize. Currently the crop production is affected by the climatic changes which rise the abiotic and biotic stresses problems. In an attempt to raise the tryptophan level in maize, particle bombardment technique was used with two hybrids maize, namely Sc168 and Sc10. The results of this study showed that both hybrids were transformed efficiently and showed increased levels of tryptophan in the two hybrids. The double shot 1100 psi was higher effective than single shot. It can be concluded that levels of tryptophan increased clearly in the two hybrids which is considered an indicator for ASA2 successful expressing as compared to control. The present study established effective tissue culture protocol for maize hybrids suitable for gene transformation which may used in maize improvement programs in the future.