Overview of insights into the role of <i>Bacillus</i> species in drought stress alleviation and plant disease management

Abstract

Drought and plant diseases are major constraints on crop production, causing significant losses. As the effects of climate change worsen, there is an urgent need to adopt sustainable agricultural strategies. Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) are emerging as a promising approach, aimed at enhancing productivity and plant resilience to various stresses. Among them, Bacillus spp. are gaining research interest due to their unique ability to adapt to harsh environmental conditions and produce metabolites of interest in several sectors. Besides improving plant growth and yield, Bacillus plays a pivotal role in enhancing the ability of plants to withstand drought stress mainly by producing of water absorbing substances and enhancing water and nutrient uptake. Some Bacillus species are able to effectively resist plant pathogens through several mechanisms, including antibiosis, competition, induced systemic resistance (ISR), and enriching the microbiome of the soil, enabling them to become important biological agents in the management of plant diseases. This overview aims to highlight the potential of Bacillus species in sustainable agriculture, focusing on their role in mitigating drought stress and controlling plant diseases.