Role of Bacillus spp. in Agriculture

Abstract

The advent of the industrial revolution and intensified agricultural practices have posed irreversible impairment in the soil by accumulating various xenobiotic compounds. Soil, being a core constituent of Earth, not only supports plant growth but also acts as a water filter, buffering pollutants and conserving myriad microorganisms. Untreated industrial effluents, dumping of plastics, and overuse of pesticides are some of the major contaminants enrooted for soil pollution causing severe threats to living beings and the biosphere. Bioremediation using microbes has been recommended as a safe and viable method for the soil fertility restoration due to their adaptive nature modulated by the environment. Among the microbes, Bacillus sp is considered as an effective bioremediating agent as they are the warehouse of copious enzymes, eco-friendly products, and plant growth-promoting metabolites that play a key role in agriculture, textile, food, leather, and beverage industries and thereby ensure soil sustainability.