Bacillus inoculants in the fight against abiotic stress.

Climate change and the elevated temperatures that follow are adversely affecting the development of heat-sensitive crops, including soybeans.

Heat stress reduces field productivity by up to 35%, depending on location, contributing to declining crop yields. High temperatures cause changes in: 

- Biochemistry, 

- Physiology, 

- Molecular processes, 

- Morphology. 

All of the changes mentioned above lead to a decrease in plant growth, disruption of flowering, and secretion of hormones important for the proper functioning of the plant. In times of stress: 

- The amount of abscisic acid (ABA) responsible for the transition of plants into dormancy is increasing, 

- Defense hormones such as salicylic acid (SA) are decreasing. 

Resistance to heat stress can be increased through the use of endophytic plant growth-promoting bacteria, including those belonging to the genus Bacillus. 

Bacillus inoculants can counteract adverse changes through biofilm formation, hormone regulation, and increased nutrient availability in the soil. 

A 2020 study on soybeans showed that introducing Bacillus bacteria into the soil allows plants to develop properly despite high temperatures above 40°C. The data confirms that bacterial inoculants are effective against abiotic stresses and are also cheaper and more environmentally friendly than artificial fertilizers.