For plants immune systems, Bacillus pumilus could be seen as the equivalent of a security guard. It's part of the Bacillus genus - a massive, overachieving family of bacteria that's been everywhere from soil to water to fermentation labs. This bacterium isn't just along for the ride. It can survive conditions that would make most microbes fold, thanks to its habit of turning into a dormant spore whenever things get rough. Think of it as the kind of microbe that prepares for a root apocalypse.
So, what does it actually do?
Plenty, if you're a plant. B. pumilus sets up camp in the rhizosphere, feeds off root exudates, and builds a biofilm - a dense bacterial layer that wraps around the roots like armor. This isn't just a passive presence. It actively keeps pathogens like Fusarium, Pythium, and Rhizoctonia from turning roots into compost.
Félix LaRoche-Johnston, Innovation, Research & Development Manager at Premier Tech explains it like this: "The bacteria use the plant's sugars, form a protective film, and produce their own organic fungicide while they're at it." In other words, they get paid in root snacks and handle pest control as a side hustle.
© Premier Tech Horticulture
Martin Trépanier, Scientific Expert Director of Active Ingredients at Premier Tech, adds in: "It's not just coating the roots - it's a functioning, microbial neighborhood defending its turf."
B. pumilus works before there's a problem. It keeps the disease pressure low enough that you might stop reaching for the chemical fungicides altogether - or at least cut back. The result is healthier plants, stronger roots, and one less crisis to micromanage. Geneviève Lachance, Project Manager of Active Ingredients at Premier Tech, adds: "The plants become more resilient. There's less disease, better growth, and fewer inputs. Which, in plain terms, means higher yields without burning more money."
Growing it in-house
Premier Tech grows their own B. pumilus strains in-house. No outsourcing, no "trust us, it's alive" mystery products. Everything's produced in sterile, controlled environments, "Because if you're going to use microbes as bio-defenses, you'd better make sure they're not dead on arrival," Genevieve remarks. "AGTIV® DEFEND™ is designed for growers who'd rather prevent problems than patch them up with another spray cycle, and who aren't interested in trading chemical overuse for biological guesswork," she concludes.
For more information:
Premier Tech Growers and Consumers
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pthorticulture.com/en-us/agtiv-defend