GENE TRANSFER BY ELECTROPORATION IN ALNUS INCANA PROTOPLAST.

Actinorhizal plants are economically important in forestry programs such as land reclamation, and reforestation. They can establish symbiosis with the actinomycetes Frankia resulting in nitrogen-fixing root nodules (1). Alnus (alder) is a well-known genera of actinorhizal plants, composed of perennial dicots trees found in high latitude countries. The understanding of this association at the molecular level is vital in order to identify the specific genes involved. An efficient transformation method being a prerequisite for most molecular genetic works and for the eventual ability to transfer symbiotic genes to other woody plants.