Although transformation of cotton has been accomplished, the method is extremely limited to a few genotypes which will regenerate in tissue culture. A system to transform any genotype of cotton has been developed in this laboratory using the shoot apex as the target tissue for Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer. Shoot apices of aseptically germinated seeds are isolated and cultured on a Murashige and Skoog inorganic salt formulation with vitamins, sucrose, myo-inositol, and agar. The apices are cocultivated for 2-4 days with the Agrobacterium and then subcultured onto media to control the Agrobacterium growth and containing either hygromycin, kanamycin, or glufosinate as a selectable marker. In 3 to 8 weeks rooted plants can be recovered and placed in soil. Primary plants and progeny were screened either for hygromycin, kanamycin, or glufosinate resistance to leaf application. Southern analysis of progeny showed one to 4 inserts of the foreign gene.