Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Gene transfer methods in plant biotechnology are divided into two main categories: direct (vector-free) gene transfer and indirect (vector-mediated) gene transfer.
Direct methods use physical or chemical forces to introduce DNA, while indirect methods use biological vectors to deliver the target gene into the host genome.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze each gene transfer method listed:
1. Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer: This is an indirect, vector-mediated method.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a soil bacterium known as a "natural genetic engineer."
It contains a large Tumor-inducing (Ti) plasmid.
A specific segment of this plasmid, called transfer DNA (T-DNA), is naturally transferred and integrated into the host plant's nuclear genome during infection.
By replacing the disease-causing genes within the T-DNA with the target transgene, scientists use the Ti-plasmid as a biological vector to deliver genes into plant cells.
2. Biolistics (also known as the Gene Gun method): This is a direct, physical gene transfer method where heavy metal microprojectiles (gold or tungsten) coated with plasmid DNA are accelerated at high speeds to penetrate plant cell walls.
3. Microinjection: This is a direct physical method where DNA is injected directly into the nucleus of an individual cell or protoplast using a fine glass capillary needle.
Therefore, only Agrobacterium-mediated transfer is vector-mediated.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The vector-mediated gene transfer method is Agrobacterium-mediated, which corresponds to option (B).