(ii) The induced agrobacteria should have access to cells that are competent for transformation; for gene transfer to occur, cells must be replicating DNA or undergoing mitosis (wounded and dedifferentiated cells, fresh explants or protoplasts have these properties).

(iii) Often transformed tissues or explants do not regenerate and it is difficult to combine transformation competence with totipotency (regeneration ability); therefore, the transformation competent cells should be able to regenerate in whole plants, a combination that can be easily achieved only in some species, such as tobacco.

In some cases, undifferentiated cells of embryos may undergo transformation, so that the embryos may develop into chimeric plants