Robust and Reproducible -Mediated Transformation System of the C Genetic Model Species .

(green foxtail) has been identified as a potential experimental model system to genetically and molecularly characterise the C monocotyledonous grasses due to its small physical size, short generation time and prolific seed production, together with a sequenced and annotated genome. is the wild ancestor of the cropping species, foxtail millet (), with both species sharing a close evolutionary relationship with the agronomically important species, maize, sorghum, and sugarcane, as well as the bioenergy feedstocks, switchgrass, and . However, an efficient and reproducible transformation protocol is required to further advance the use of to study the molecular genetics of C monocotyledonous grasses. An efficient and reproducible protocol was established for -mediated transformation of (Accession A10) regenerable callus material derived from mature seeds, a protocol that returned an average transformation efficiency of 6.3%. The efficiency of this protocol was the result of the: (i) use of mature embryo derived callus material; (ii) age of the seed used to induce callus formation; (iii) composition of the callus induction media, including the addition of the ethylene inhibitor, silver nitrate; (iv) use of a co-cultivation approach, and; (v) concentration of the selective agent. Our protocol furthers the use of as an experimental model system to study the molecular genetics of C monocotyledonous grasses for the potential future development of improved C cropping species.