Bacillus as an effective biostimulant against stresses in crops

Crops are exposed to various environmental stresses that inhibit their growth and diminish crop productivity globally.

Plant biostimulants are substances/microorganisms adjusted to plants to improve their ability to absorb nutrients, withstand extreme conditions, and enhance crop quality traits.

Benefits of using microbial formulas containing Bacillus spp.:

- have metabolic and genetic diversity for significant adaptation to environmental conditions,

- more effectively produce metabolites and form resilient spores,

- develop tolerance to abiotic stresses,

- fast growth rate and facilitated colonisation in the rhizosphere.

Mechanisms of Bacillus plant growth promotion:

- improvement of the availability of nutrients,

- effect on the release of root exudates, such as ACC deaminase,

- effect on plant growth-stimulating phytohormones metabolism,

- release of antimicrobial compounds, hydrolytic enzymes, and siderophores,

- reduced toxicity of the soil pollutants,

- improvement of natural defence against pathogens.

The incorporation of Bacillus spp. in cropping systems is an effective and environmentally friendly strategy for sustainable agriculture.