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Genetic engineering is a powerful tool to develop desired traits in crop plants to make the crops suitable for future demand and changing environments. For the genetic engineering of wheat cultivars, the development of efficient transformation and regeneration systems has always been a primary requirement. Immature embryos have been used as explants for callus generation and genetic transformation of wheat cultivars, but the availability of healthy immature embryos as an explant throughout the year is difficult. In contrast, mature embryos are relatively easy to use throughout the year. The following protocol describes the genetic transformation of wheat cultivars using a mature embryo as explants by the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method.

Wheat (Triticum spp. L) production needs to be improved to meet the needs of a global population of >9 billion people by 2050. Increasing the productivity of the crop under conditions of abiotic and biotic stress to achieve food security continues to be a challenging proposition. Wheat stem sawfly (WSS) (Cephus cinctus Norton) has been considered as a serious pest of wheat since the late 19th century, causing devastating losses of wheat productivity in the Northern Great Plains of United States and regions of Canada. Developing resistant varieties of wheat that show consistent agronomic performances in varying environments is an effective strategy to manage WSS infestations. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to understand the underlying mechanisms of WSS infestation, damage, subsequent response of the host plant, and resulting yield losses. The review focuses on genetics, breeding, and development of solid stem (SS)-mediated WSS resistance in wheat since it has been the most effective method of genetic resistance in reducing wheat yield losses. Furthermore, the knowledge gaps that need to be addressed to develop an effective resistant cultivar against WSS are also discussed. BACKGROUNDWith the exponential increase in global population and reduction in cultivable land, there is a need to increase food production per unit area of land. Cereal crops are a staple food source worldwide and wheat (Triticum spp. L)