Abstract

Background/Objectives:Phyllostachys edulisis the most widely distributed and economically important bamboo species in China. However, the genetic transformation inP. edulisis still limited by a long regeneration cycle and low regeneration and transformation efficiency. Carbon nanotube-based delivery systems in plants have the advantages of simplicity, rapidity and low cost. Moreover, morphogenetic regulators BBM (BABY BOOM) and WUS (WUSCHEL) play significant roles in plant regeneration.Methods: Here, immature zygotic embryos were used to induceP. eduliscallus, and using single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs)-based delivery technology,PeBBM2,PeWUS-DNA (with introns) andPeWUS-cDNA (without introns) were introduced toP. eduliscallus either individually or in combination.Conclusions: The results showed that the 0.9–1.0 mm (long axis) embryos exhibited the lowest contamination rate and the highest induction efficiency. Moreover, the results indicated that the co-transformation ofPeBBM2-PeWUSmore effectively boosted the growth area of the callus. However, only thePeBBM2-overexpression callus could form shoots. Compared with the wild type, thePeBBM2-overexpression lines showed reduced expression ofAGL15and increased expression ofIAA30andYUC. In conclusion, these findings suggested that SWNTs-mediated DNA delivery is a potential strategy for the genetic transformation ofP. eduliscallus. Additionally, the findings indicate that thePeBBM2andPeWUSgenes can accelerate callus enlargement inP. edulis, whereasPeBBM2might play a more important role in shoot formation. This study provides a basis for developing a genetic transformation system for plants based on SWNTs-mediated DNA delivery and morphogenetic regulators.