Bioengineering Bacillus spp. for Sustainable Crop Production: Recent Advances and Resources for Biotechnological Applications

The goal of sustainable agriculture is to meet the rising need for food, while minimizing adverse impacts on the environment, protecting natural resources, and ensuring agricultural output over the long term. The pressing need to increase agricultural yield through sustainable agriculture is being emphasized. Several Bacillus species have been used as commercial biopesticides since they can act against plant pathogens by potentially suppressing them. At the same time, they can act as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and are known for their diverse characteristics and beneficial properties, making them potential candidates for use sustainable crop production programs. Knowledge of genetic information opens the door of possibility for understanding the way these microorganisms behave. By applying biotechnological tools to Bacillus, strategies can be adopted for the purpose of increasing the yield of crops and managing pests and pathogens that infect them. In this review, we identify the genes in the most significant Bacillus spp. that contribute to plant improvement. The most important biotechnological tools and advance computational approaches are described to provide an extended vision on this topic. However, increasing the crop production through application of beneficial microbial strains requires a multifaceted approach that considers ecological, economic, and social aspects. By implementing these strategies and practices, we can work towards a sustainable and resilient agricultural system that meets the growing food demand, while preserving the environment for future generations.