Agrobacterium is a type of soil bacterium that can cause plant diseases. It is also known for its unique ability to transfer genetic material into plant cells, which has made it a valuable tool in genetic engineering.
Definitions
Agrobacterium is a genus of Gram-negative bacteria that can cause crown gall disease in plants. It is named after its ability to cause the formation of tumors, or galls, on the stem of infected plants.
Origin
Agrobacterium was first discovered by the French plant pathologist Émile Erwin-David in 1897. It was later identified as the cause of crown gall disease by the American plant pathologist Kenneth F. Baker in the 1940s.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, Agrobacterium is defined as “a genus of soil bacteria that can cause tumors in plants and is used in genetic engineering to transfer genes into plants.”
The Oxford English Dictionary defines Agrobacterium as “a bacterium that causes crown gall in plants and can be used to transfer genetic material into plant cells.”
Associations
Agrobacterium is often associated with genetic engineering and biotechnology, as its ability to transfer genetic material into plant cells has made it a valuable tool in the development of genetically modified crops.
It is also associated with plant pathology, as it can cause crown gall disease in a wide range of plant species.
Synonyms
There are no commonly used synonyms for Agrobacterium.
Antonyms
There are no commonly used antonyms for Agrobacterium.
The same root words
There are no commonly used words that share the same root as Agrobacterium.
Example Sentences
- Agrobacterium is commonly used in genetic engineering to transfer genes into plant cells.
- Crown gall disease, caused by Agrobacterium, can result in reduced crop yields and plant death.
- The unique ability of Agrobacterium to transfer genetic material into plant cells has revolutionized the field of plant biotechnology.