Fostering Sustainable Agriculture: Bacillus spp. as a Key Player in Enhancing Soil Health and Crop Growth

Climate change poses significant challenges for rainfed agriculture in India, impacting plant growth and nutrient absorption by influencing various stresses. Furthermore, the imbalanced and inappropriate utilization of agrochemicals exacerbates soil degradation. In order to tackle these apprehensions and foster the development of sustainable agriculture, the focus has shifted toward plant-associated microorganisms. Among the microorganisms, Bacillus spp., a Gram-positive bacterium with rod-shaped morphology, aerobic nature, and ability to form endospores, have emerged as a promising bioagent to enhance soil health and crop productivity. Bacillus spp. play a crucial role in improving nutrient absorption, suppressing pathogens, inducing systemic resistance, producing phytohormones, and enhancing plant tolerance to stress. They also regulate the synthesis of vital phytohormones such as abscisic acid, ethylene, and ACC deaminase. Numerous Bacillus spp. have demonstrated their effectiveness in boosting plant growth and increasing yields across crops. By harnessing Bacillus spp. as biofertilizers, the cultivation costs can be reduced while ensuring sustainable yields. Integrating these beneficial microorganisms into agricultural practices holds the potential to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and excessive agrochemical usage, thus fostering resilient and sustainable agricultural systems. This chapter highlights the significance of Bacillus spp. in sustainable agriculture through enhanced soil health and crop growth.