Which bacterium naturally transfers DNA into plant cells, making it a key tool in genetic engineering?

Agrobacterium tumefaciens naturally transfers DNA into plant cells, making it a key tool in genetic engineering.

The bacterium causes crown gall disease by moving part of its Ti plasmid into a wounded plant cell. The transferred DNA alters plant growth and causes tumor-like galls, while also making the plant produce compounds the bacterium can use.

Scientists removed the disease-causing genes from this system and replaced them with useful genes. Modified versions are widely used to create transgenic plants, especially in laboratory research and crop development.

The species was formerly called Agrobacterium tumefaciens; modern classification often places it within Rhizobium as Rhizobium radiobacter. The older name remains extremely common in genetics and plant biology. It is not the same as nitrogen-fixing rhizobia that form root nodules on legumes.