What is a common method used in genetic engineering of plants?

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is a widely recognized method in the genetic engineering of plants. This technique utilizes the natural ability of the soil bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens to transfer a specific segment of its DNA, known as T-DNA, into the genome of a plant cell. By inserting desirable genes into the T-DNA, researchers can induce the plant to express these foreign traits, such as pest resistance, herbicide tolerance, or improved nutritional content.

This method is particularly advantageous due to its high efficiency in creating stable transgenic plants. It allows for the precise transfer of a gene of interest, providing not just the desired traits but also the potential for minimal disruption of the plant's original genetic makeup. Additionally, this method can be applied to a wide range of plant species, making it versatile and valuable in agricultural biotechnology.

In contrast, while methods like CRISPR editing provide powerful tools for editing genes, they are more aligned with precision editing rather than direct transformation. Gene synthesis focuses on creating DNA sequences in vitro and does not involve the transformation of plant cells. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is primarily a technique for amplifying DNA rather than for modifying plant genomes. Thus, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation stands out as