Plant growth and morphogenesis in vitro is promoted by associative methylotrophic bacteria

The effects of aerobic methylotrophic bacteria Methylovorus mays on growth and morphogenesis were studied in in vitro propagated tobacco, potato, and flax. Colonization of plant explants with the methylotrophic bacteria led t o the stable association of bacteria and plants and enhanced the growth and the capacity of the latter for regeneration and root formation. When colon ized by the methylotrophic bacteria, the rootless transgenic tobacco plants carrying the agrobacterial cytokinin gene ipt restored their ability to fo rm roots. These data indicate the possibility to employ methylotrophic bact eria as a tool in experimental biology and plant biotechnology.