The antibacterial activities of 12 beta-lactam antibiotics against Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains LBA4404 and EHA101 living in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) leaf tissues, and their phytotoxicities to tobacco leaf tissues were evaluated. All beta-lactams at minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) or higher showed weak bactericidal activities against agrobacteria persisting in tobacco leaf tissues. The beta-lactams evaluated were classified into two major groups according to their inhibitory effect on shoot regeneration of tobacco leaf tissues: (1) highly phytotoxic drugs, and (2) moderately phytotoxic drugs. According to these results, suitable kind and concentration of beta-lactam antibiotics were evaluated for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation.