Question

The bacteria associated with plant genetic engineering are

• A. Salmonella and Pseudomonas
• B. Salmonella typhimurium and Agrobacterium tumefaciens
• C. Bacillus thuringiensis and Pseudomonas fluorescens
• D. Rhizobium leguminosarum and Azotobacter agilis

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (C)

The correct options are
B Salmonella typhimurium and Agrobacterium tumefaciens
C Bacillus thuringiensis and Pseudomonas fluorescens

Salmonella typhimurium and Agrobacterium tumefaciens are used as vectors to transfer the desired genes into plants while Bacillus thuringiensis and Pseudomonas fluorescens produce compounds which can offer disease resistance to plants. Genes of these compounds are isolated and transferred to plants. Examples include the endotoxin gene cryA from Bacillus thuringiensis that is transferred to Cotton plant and the phlD gene from Pseudomonas fluorescens that confers fungal resistance to plants.