Bacilli the most important biocontrol agent in Brazilian agriculture: from mechanisms of action to market adoption.

Abstract

Bacilli have become one of the most commercially significant groups of microorganisms used in agricultural biocontrol products in Brazil. Their ability to form endospores and produce a wide range of metabolites allows them to control plant diseases, promote plant growth, and alleviate stress, supporting their extensive adoption in crop protection systems. This study analyzes the Brazilian market for Bacillus-based products used in plant disease management and summarizes their mechanisms of action. Data on commercial registrations, active strains, product formulations, and target diseases were compiled from Brazilian national regulatory databases. Market indicators, such as potential area treated (PAT) and turnover, were estimated using structured agricultural surveys conducted across Brazil during the 2019/2020 and 2024/2025 crop seasons, the latter encompassing more than 16,000 interviews with farmers and agricultural managers. By December/2025, 297 Bacillus-based products containing 126 strains were commercialized in Brazil, with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, B. subtilis, B. velezensis, and B. pumilus being the most prominent species. These products are applied via seed treatment, soil drenching, furrow, and foliar spraying to manage fungal, bacterial, and nematode diseases. During the analyzed period, PAT increased from 7.5 to 37.2 million hectares (391% growth) and turnover increased from US$114.31 to US$403.17 million (252% growth). Currently, Bacillus-based products accounted for approximately 48% of the Brazilian biological control market, highlighting the prevalence of this genus in the sector. Overall, these results demonstrate how advances in microbial biotechnology, regulatory development, and farmer adoption have positioned Bacillus spp. as key components of the rapidly expanding biocontrol industry.