The genetic transformation via Agrobacterium tumefaciens allows the insertion of one or few copies of a transgene into the host DNA. This can be an important tool to plant breeders because it expands the genetic variability in breeding programs, developing variability not readily available from traditional methods. However, there are some difficulties that have to be overcome before this technology may be used in cereals, as the identification of highly ineffective bacteria strains and the adjustments of the technique to various crops. The objective of this paper is to revise the potentialities and limitations of using A. tumefaciens to transform cereals and to indicate the future perspectives of this technology. Recent studies have indicated that it is possible to transform rice and wheat with A. tumefaciens, so that rice transgenic plants have been obtained with this method. This technology is being improved and in a short term will allow the transformation of many monocotyledonous species.
monocotyledonous; gene incorporation; plant breeding
