The present invention relates to a method for increasing the vigor and/or crop yield of agricultural plants under essentially non-existent pathogen pressure, wherein the plants, the plant propagules, the seed of the plants and/or a locus where the plants are growing or are intended to grow are treated with an effective amount of a composition comprising a Bacillus subtilis strain with Accession No. NRRL B-21661, a mutant of the strain having all the identifying characteristics of the strain, or a cell-free extract thereof; wherein the vigor and/or crop yield of agricultural plants under essentially non-existent pathogen pressure is increased and the increase in vigor is characterized by less fertilizer needed.