A. rhizogenes rol genes induce productivity-related phenotypical modifications in "creeping-rooted" alfalfa types

Agrobacterium rhizogenes rol genes were transferred individually or in combination into the forage legume Medicago sativa L. (alfalfa). Kanamycin resistant, neomycin phosphotransferase II positive plants showed the presence of the rol inserts in their genome. Phenotypical evaluation of transgenic populations indicated significant morphological alterations of the root system, stem number per plant and plant structure. A possible utilization of these transgenics in breeding programs of the so-called "creeping-rooted" alfalfa strains is discussed.