Gene delivery into dicot plants Which technique is classically and most widely used to introduce genes into dicotyledonous plants?

Introduction / Context:
Different plant groups respond differently to gene delivery methods. Dicotyledonous species, including many horticultural crops, have historically been most amenable to Agrobacterium-mediated transformation using Ti plasmid–based vectors, which remains a staple technique in academia and industry.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The target plant group is dicots.
• We compare common gene delivery approaches.
• We seek the technique with broad, established success in dicots.

Concept / Approach:
Agrobacterium naturally transfers T-DNA into plant cells; disarmed derivatives and binary vector systems provide efficient, genotype-flexible transformation for many dicots (e.g., tobacco, tomato, soybean). While biolistics and electroporation can work across taxa, Ti plasmid infection is the classic, most widely adopted route for dicots due to high integration efficiency and lower copy insertions.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Extensive literature and protocols (leaf-disc, cotyledon, hypocotyl methods) document routine success of Agrobacterium in dicots; many commercial traits were introduced via this route.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Electroporation and microinjection: niche or protoplast-dependent; not as broadly routine.
• Biolistics exclusively: works for many monocots; dicots typically favor Agrobacterium.
• Protoplast fusion: somatic hybridization, not gene transfer of defined constructs.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming monocot breakthroughs (e.g., rice biolistics) generalize as the default for dicots; historical and practical preference remains Agrobacterium.

Final Answer:
Agrobacterium Ti plasmid–mediated infection (Agrobacterium-mediated transformation)