Transformation of peas.

The lateral cotyledonary meristems present in germinating seed were inoculated with a non-oncogenic strain of A. tumefaciens carrying a gene conferring kanamycin resistance as a selectable marker and a β-glucuronidase sequence as a reporter gene. Kanamycin resistant plants were derived from the meristems and shown to be transformed on the basis of Southern blots, polymerase chain reaction analysis and tests for β-glucuronidase activity. The plants were fertile and tests of their progeny confirmed the transmission of integrated sequences through a sexual generation. This transformation method has the merit of an unlimited supply of material for inoculation and a relatively short time scale from inoculation to the production of rooted plants.