Harnessing Native Bacillus spp. for Sustainable Wheat Production

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Plant Science
• Agricultural Science

Background:

• The genus *Bacillus* is utilized in agriculture as a biological agent.
• Commercial *Bacillus*-based products show variable field efficacy.
• Understanding native wheat-associated *Bacillus* is crucial for optimizing wheat production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the diversity, functionality, and applicability of native *Bacillus* species associated with wheat.
• To identify key challenges and propose solutions for field application of *Bacillus* inoculants.
• To establish criteria for developing effective native *Bacillus*-based inoculants for sustainable agriculture.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of wheat-associated *Bacillus* diversity and function.
• Analysis of *Bacillus* distribution within wheat tissues (rhizosphere, roots, stems, leaves, kernels).
• Proposal of a STVAE (Screen, Test, Validation, Application, Evaluation) pipeline for *Bacillus* refinement.

Main Results:

• *Bacillus* species are found throughout wheat plants, including endophytic occurrences.
• *Bacillus subtilis* and *Bacillus velezensis* are common endophytic species.
• These *Bacillus* strains promote plant growth and mitigate abiotic/biotic stresses.
• Stability and effectiveness are identified as major challenges in field applications.

Conclusions:

• Native wheat-associated *Bacillus* possess significant potential for enhancing wheat production.
• The proposed STVAE pipeline offers a structured approach for developing reliable *Bacillus* inoculants.
• Addressing challenges in stability and effectiveness is key to successful field application and sustainable agriculture.