Technical Abstract: Glycine max cv MiniMax has a rapid life cycle, short stature and characteristic simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers that make it useful for genetic mapping studies. The development of MiniMax that has many properties of a desirable genetic system prompted the evaluation of its ability to be grown rapidly in well-defined growth chamber conditions, for its transformation capabilities and ability to make somatic embryos (SEs). We demonstrate under standard growth chamber conditions that MiniMax completes its life cycle in 49-56 days, ~33% more rapidly than previously reported for both field and greenhouse grown plants. Thus, MiniMax is capable of six generations per year. The plant transformation vector pKSF3, using the figwort mosaic virus (FMV) promoter to drive reporter gene expression, and not previously used for G. max transformation, was evaluated. Using pKSF3, MiniMax is transformed by Agrobacterium rhizogenes to make hairy roots that strongly express a reporter gene. These hairy roots can harbor and permit root pathogens such as the soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines) to complete their life cycle in time frames comparable to normal untransformed roots while sustaining strong expression of a reporter gene. Transformation is also possible by both particle bombardment and A. tumefaciens. We demonstrate that MiniMax is able to make SEs in a manner similar to the highly embryonic cultivar Jack. That MiniMax is capable of transformation and the genesis of SEs should prove useful for basic aspects of G. max molecular and genetic research