This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Open AccessReview
Increasing Application of Multifunctional Bacillus for Biocontrol of Pests and Diseases and Plant Growth Promotion: Lessons from Brazil
by
Natalia Caetano Vasques
Natalia Caetano Vasques 1,
Marco Antonio Nogueira
Marco Antonio Nogueira
Marco Antonio Nogueira received an Agronomist degree (1994) at Unesp Jaboticabal, master (1997) and [...]
Marco Antonio Nogueira received an Agronomist degree (1994) at Unesp Jaboticabal, master (1997) and doctor (2001) in Agronomy (Soils and Plant Nutrition) at Esalq, in a “sandwich” at the University of Tuebingen (Germany), and was a Visiting Scientist (post-doctoral) at the North Carolina State University (2015-2016). He has served as a researcher at Embrapa Soybean since 2010 and is currently a member of the Internal Technical Committee and a member of Embrapa’s management committee of the Portfolio on Biological Inputs. He has been a Post-graduate professor and advisor at the State University of Londrina Agronomy since 2010 and in Microbiology since 2004. His research interests include bioindicators of soil quality, biological nitrogen fixation, drought tolerance, and agronomic potential and environmental impacts of urban and agroindustrial residues. He has experience in Agronomy, focusing on Microbiology and Biochemistry of the Soil, working on biological nitrogen fixation, soil quality, glycine max, inoculants and bradyrhizobium.
2
and
Mariangela Hungria
Mariangela Hungria
Mariangela Hungria got her PhD in Agronomy (Soil Science) from Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de [...]
Mariangela Hungria got her PhD in Agronomy (Soil Science) from Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and held postdoctoral positions at the universities of Cornell, California-Davis (USA) and Seville (Spain). She has been a Researcher at Embrapa since 1982, at Embrapa Soja (Londrina) since 1991, and a Researcher at the National Council of Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) since 1992. She is a Professor of microbiology and biotechnology at the University of Londrina and supervised more than 100 MSc and PhD students. Her experience is in agronomy with emphasis on soil biotechnology: biological nitrogen fixation, biodiversity; taxonomy and phylogeny of prokaryotes, microbial ecology, soil microbiology, plant growth promoting bacteria; plant physiology; inoculant production; technologies of inoculation; omics sciences; microbial culture collections. She launched more than 20 technologies, including microbial strains and commercial inoculants. She received more than 20 prizes, including the TWAS-Lenovo Science Award (2020). She is a member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences.
1,2,*
1
Department of Microbiology, Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), Londrina 86057-970, PR, Brazil
2
Soil Biotechnology Laboratory, Embrapa Soja, C.P. 4006, Londrina 86085-981, PR, Brazil
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Agronomy 2024, 14(8), 1654; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14081654 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 7 June 2024
/
Revised: 25 July 2024
/
Accepted: 26 July 2024
/
Published: 27 July 2024
Abstract
The microbial genus Bacillus inhabits a diverse range of environments and is widespread across all global biomes, with a significant presence in soil habitats. In agriculture, Bacillus strains play multifaceted roles, serving as biocontrol agents against pests and diseases, and promoting plant growth by facilitating nutrient availability and enhancing stress tolerance. Through mechanisms such as phosphate solubilization, ACC-deaminase activity, and synthesis of phytohormones and siderophores, Bacillus spp. contribute to soil health and crop productivity, in a new approach of regenerative agriculture. The ability of Bacillus spp. to solubilize phosphate makes essential nutrients more accessible to plants, while ACC-deaminase activity helps plants withstand environmental stresses. Additionally, the synthesis of phytohormones can stimulate plant growth and development, and siderophores may facilitate the uptake of nutrients such as iron by plants. As the agricultural industry embraces Bacillus-based formulations for pest management and crop enhancement, future research holds promising prospects for optimizing their applications and harnessing their full potential in agroecosystems. Continued exploration of Bacillus spp. diversity and their interactions with plants and soil microbiota will further advance sustainable agricultural practices. This review contributes to understanding how Bacillus strains can revolutionize agriculture by enhancing soil health, increasing crop productivity, and providing effective biological solutions against pests and diseases. The successful application of Bacillus-based technologies in millions of hectares in Brazilian agriculture demonstrates the synergy between the need for more sustainable agricultural practices and the use of bio-inputs.
Share and Cite
MDPI and ACS Style
Vasques, N.C.; Nogueira, M.A.; Hungria, M.
Increasing Application of Multifunctional Bacillus for Biocontrol of Pests and Diseases and Plant Growth Promotion: Lessons from Brazil. Agronomy 2024, 14, 1654.
https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14081654
AMA Style
Vasques NC, Nogueira MA, Hungria M.
Increasing Application of Multifunctional Bacillus for Biocontrol of Pests and Diseases and Plant Growth Promotion: Lessons from Brazil. Agronomy. 2024; 14(8):1654.
https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14081654
Chicago/Turabian Style
Vasques, Natalia Caetano, Marco Antonio Nogueira, and Mariangela Hungria.
2024. "Increasing Application of Multifunctional Bacillus for Biocontrol of Pests and Diseases and Plant Growth Promotion: Lessons from Brazil" Agronomy 14, no. 8: 1654.
https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14081654
Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details
here.
Article Metrics
Article metric data becomes available approximately 24 hours after publication online.