The present disclosure provides novel compositions and methods for collectively transforming or genetically modifying a population of distinct germplasm of different germplasms or having different genotypes. The compositions of the present disclosure may include a population of distinct germplasm, such as embryo explants, and a heterologous polynucleotide molecule, a ribonucleoprotein, or a site-specific nuclease. The methods of the present disclosure may include one or more steps of explant preparation, explant rehydration, Rhizobiales bacterium inoculation and co-culture or particle bombardment, bud induction, extended bud induction, and/or regeneration or development of genetically modified plants or plant parts. The methods provided herein may include transforming at least one plant cell of the embryo explants with a heterologous polynucleotide. The methods provided herein also include methods of regenerating or growing a plurality of genetically modified plants or plant parts from the population of transformed or edited plant cells or explants and comparing, selecting or screening one or more genotypes having an improved phenotype or other culturing characteristic.