-mediated transformation of L. roots as a tool for studying the mycorrhizal and root nodule symbioses.

In this study, we demonstrated the successful transformation of two pea ( L.) cultivars using , whereby transgenic roots in the resulting composite plants showed expression of the gene encoding the green fluorescent protein. Subsequent to infection with , approximately 70%-80% of pea seedlings developed transgenic hairy roots. We found out that the transgenic roots can be efficiently nodulated by bv. and infected by the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus . The morphology of nodules in the transgenic roots was found to be identical to that of nodules observed in wild-type roots, and we also observed the effective induction of markers typical of the symbiotic association with AM fungi. The convenient protocol for highly efficient -mediated transformation developed in this study would be a rapid and effective tool for investigating those genes involved in the development of the two types of symbioses found in pea plants.