Following the evaluation of the nutritional requirements for thein vitro propagation ofElaeagnus angustifolia, this actinorhizal species was routinely multiplied on MS, supplemented with 100 mM sucrose and 5 μM kinetin. On this medium, at a 3 week-interval, a multiplication rate of 5–10 was observed. A morphological variant occurred in culture (wet type) but it was converted into the normal type (pubescent type) by a passage on 1/2 macro MS and 1.5% agar. One hundred percent rooting was achieved in liquid medium containing 1/2 MS without growth regulators. The plantlets were transferred aseptically to a nitrogen-free artificial soil substrate and inoculated with pure cultures of differentFrankia strains which had been isolated from Elaeagnus, Shepherdia and Hippophae host plants. We thus ascertained that afterin vitro propagation, the plants retained their capacity to nodulate and sustain nitrogen fixation.