Transformation Techniques using Agrobacterium
Agrobacteriuminfection (utilizing its plasmids as vectors) has been extensively utilized for transfer of foreign DNA into a number of dicotyledonous species and also into a few monocotyledonous plants. The success in this approach for gene transfer has resulted from improvement in tissue culture technology.

However, initially monocotyledons could not be successfully utilized for Agrobacteriummediated gene transfer except a solitary example of Asparagus. The reasons for this are not fully understood, because T-DNA transfer does occur at the cellular level. It is possible that the failure in mono cots lies in the lack of wound response of monocotyledonous cells. However, more recently (1990-2000), successful Agrobacterium mediated transformation has been achieved in several monocots including maize, wheat, rice, banana, etc.