BackgroundOver the years, excessive use of chemical pesticides to control plant pathogens has caused environmental problems. Therefore, biological solutions such as the use of microorganisms with antimicrobial capacity become indispensable. To inhibit the growth of plant pathogens, biological control agents use different mechanisms, including the production of hydrolytic enzymes. In this study, the production of amylase, an enzyme important for the prevention and control of plant diseases, by a biological control agentBacillushalotoleransRFP74 was optimized using response surface methodology.ResultsBacillus halotoleransRFP74 inhibited the growth of various phytopathogens includingAlternariaandBipolariswith an inhibition rate of more than 60%. In addition, it also demonstrated an essential production of amylase. Based on previous studies of amylase production inBacillus, three parameters were considered significant: initial pH of the medium, incubation time, and temperature. Using the central composite design with Design Expert software, the optimized amylase production forB.halotoleransRFP74 is at a temperature of 37 °C, incubation time 51 h and pH 6.ConclusionThe biological control agentB.halotoleransRFP74 inhibited the growth ofAlternariaandBipolaris, demonstrating its broad spectrum of activity. Knowledge of the optimal condition required for the production of hydrolytic enzymes such as amylase provides information on the most effective application of this biological control agent.