The invention relates to a method of increasing abiotic stress resistance enhancing soil nutrition of a plant, the method comprising applying a composition comprising Bacillus subtilis or Bacillus pumilus or a mutant thereof, to the plant, to a part of the plant and/or to an area around the plant or plant part. The invention also is directed to a method of enhancing soil nutrition comprising applying a composition comprising Bacillus subtilis or a mutant thereof to the soil.