A simple method for large-scale electrofusion and culture of plant protoplasts.

A simple method is described for the electrofusion of plant protoplasts. Protoplasts were aggregated in a radio-frequency field (10 V RMS, 0.5 MHz) for 15-30 s with an inter-electrode distance of 5 mm. They were then fused with a 300-V DC pulse. The protoplasts were able to divide after this treatment. A transferrable electrode permitted electrofusion of 1-ml volumes of culture in standard tissue-culture dishes in about 20 s.