Abstract: A method for treating soil with a composition containing the microorganism Bacillus laterosporus strain BOD is disclosed. Treatment of the soil with B. laterosporus strain BOD results in certain beneficial changes to the soil including maintenance of an alkaline pH, fixation of plant nutrients, neutralization of odors, a reduction in aerobic and coliform bacterial counts, and inhibition of plant pathogenic bacteria and fungi. A method for treating plants with B. laterosporus strain BOD to inhibit the growth of plant pathogenic organisms is also disclosed.