o:8316 Bacillus-Based Bioinoculants as Dual Biocontrol Agents Against Fungal Pathogens and Insect Pests: Insights for Fusarium poae and Agriotes lineatus en Abstract: Fungal pathogens and insect pests are among the most persistent threats to crop productivity worldwide. Acting simultaneously or sequentially, they compromise seedling establishment, reduce yield, and lower grain quality, while also threatening long-term soil fertility. Conventional management relies on separate fungicide and insecticide treatments, a strategy that is costly, environmentally unsustainable, and increasingly ineffective due to the emergence of resistant populations. These challenges highlight the urgent need for integrated solutions capable of addressing multiple stress factors within the same system. Among the most promising candidates are bioinoculants based on Bacillus spp., which possess remarkable metabolic and ecological versatility. Through the secretion of specific lipopeptides and hydrolytic enzymes, Bacillus strains suppress fungal growth, inhibit spore germination, and activate systemic plant defenses. At the same time, their entomopathogenic potential is reflected in the ability to colonize the rhizosphere, compete for resources, and release bioactive compounds that deter feeding or reduce insect survival. The capacity to combine antifungal and insect- suppressive activities within a single microbial agent represents a novel paradigm in biological control, offering the possibility of simplifying pest management while enhancing soil and plant health. Despite this potential, research has largely concentrated on well-characterized fungi such as Fusarium graminearum or insect models like lepidopteran larvae. In contrast, the cereal pathogen Fusarium poae and the soil-dwelling wireworm Agriotes lineatus remain severely underexplored, even though they cause significant economic damage through yield losses, seedling destruction, and contamination with harmful mycotoxins. Insights gained from studies on related Fusarium species and other insect pests, however, provide a valuable foundation for identifying selection criteria and functional traits in Bacillus strains with dual biocontrol potential against these overlooked threats. This review therefore situates dual biocontrol within a broader agricultural context while drawing attention to specific knowledge gaps that hinder the development of integrated microbial solutions. By synthesizing existing findings and projecting their implications for underrepresented targets such as F. poae and A. lineatus, the study highlights an innovative approach to crop protection. Ultimately, Bacillus-based bioinoculants exemplify the next generation of sustainable tools that can reduce chemical dependence, support integrated pest management, and contribute to resilient cereal production systems. dual biocontrol, Bacillus spp., fungal pathogens, insect pests, Fusarium poae, Agriotes lineatus, integrated pest management, sustainable agriculture. 1552100 978-86-7834-455-8 2025-10-13T10:48:37.575Z 44 no 46 Galina Jevđenović Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade 0009-0001-2040-3515 46 Aneta Buntić Institute of Soil Science 0000-0002-7068-1804 46 Jelena Pavlović Institute of Soil Science 0000-0001-9424-1080 46 Jelena Maksimović Institute of Soil Science 0000-0001-5217-3972 46 Marina Jovković Institute of Soil Science 0000-0001-7224-8556 46 Marina Dervišević Milenković Institute of Pesticides and Environmental Protection: Belgrade, RS 0000-0003-2661-6412 46 Magdalena Knežević Institute of Soil Science 0000-0003-0186-3652 application/pdf 7939371 https://unilib.phaidrabg.rs/o:8316 no yes 1 70 92000004 71A05 Book of Abstracts: The 7th International Symposium on Agricultural Engineering, 06-08 October 2025, Belgrade, Serbia 40 41 2025