Electroporation-mediated gene transfer into intact nodal meristems in planta. Generating transgenic plants without in vitro tissue culture.

Transient expression and stable integration and expression of transgenes were observed in the tissues and offspring of certain leguminous plants after electroporation of DNA into intact nodal meristems in planta. The method described in this article thus allows the study of transgene expression in tissues differentiating from meristematic cells present in the treated buds. In addition, transgenic plants can be recovered in the offspring of electroporated individuals. Therefore, this technique allows the production of transgenic leguminous plants without the need for in vitro tissue culture, often a major hurdle with this family.