Bacilli as sources of agrobiotechnology: recent advances and future directions

The group bacilli represent the Gram-positive ubiquitous spore-forming bacteria. Their diversity, versatility and the ability of producing diverse secondary metabolites including enzymes created enormous potential for applications in agriculture, biotechnology, environment and medicine. The bacilli are considered as one of the most studied groups of bacteria providing plant growth-promotion and biocontrol of multiple diseases reflecting their vital role in enhancing plants’ tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Some of the Bacillus species are available commercially as phytostimulants, biopesticides, and biofertilizers. Genetically engineered plants such as maize, cotton, brinjal with endotoxins producing genes from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has revolutionized agriculture. Many of these applications have been widely adopted in various fields as viable and environmentally friendly alternatives of synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides. A better understanding of the biology, ecology, and mechanisms of action of the beneficial strains of bacilli are needed for the development of products to support green biotechnology in agriculture and industries. This report comprehensively reviewed the applications of bacilli in agriculture and industry and discussed their potentials for the development of new products of biotechnological implications