Methods of inducing systemic acquired resistance to infection in a plant are provided. The methods comprise applying a composition comprising a Bacillus control agent to said plant wherein said plant is capable of producing defense proteins. Also provided are, methods for controlling one or more plant diseases, methods for preventing plant virus transmission, methods for preventing and/or treating soil-borne plant pathogens using the Bacillus control agent of the present invention, and methods of generating bacterial spores. In addition, synergistic biocontrol combinations and methods of using the same are provided.