Abstract: The invention relates to novel plant plasmid vectors comprising geminivirus DNA or a portion thereof having inserted therein a heterologous DNA sequence or gene, to processes and DNA intermediates useful in producing said vectors and to methods utilizing such vectors to replicate and express heterologous DNA sequences or genes in plants. In some embodiments, methods and compositions are provided for Ti plasmid delivery of these novel vectors into plants. In other embodiments, methods and compositions are provided which allow for the generation of geminivirus DNA containing plant plasmids in stably transformed plants. In still other embodiments, methods and compositions are provided for replicating and expressing heterologous DNA sequences or genes in plants employing the geminivirus DNA containing vectors of the present invention without causing disease symptoms.