Agrobacterium can transform plants by inserting its Ti plasmid into the plant cells. The Ti plasmid contains T (tumor-inducing) DNA which integrates into the genome of an infected plant. The T-DNA stimulates local cellular growth (the crown gall) and simultaneously causes the production of certain products used by the bacteria as a source of nutritional carbon and nitrogen.

Crown gall on carrot slices.

Crown gall on tomato plant.

Crown gall on pecan tree.

Splicing genes into a variety of crops would bring new benefits to farmers and consumers. Some examples of crops.
	Squash-	Virus resistance
	Canola-	Cooking oil with lower saturated fat
	Cotton-	Herbicide & insect resistance
	Potato-	Lower-fat potato chips; insect resistance
	Soybeans-	Herbicide resistance
	Carrots-	Longer shelf life
	Tomato-	Disease resistance; longer shelf life

Using the Ti plasmid as a vector for genetic engineering in plants.

Why is the Ti plasmid important to plant scientists?

All photos on ../plantge ©CLCase