The objectives of this study were to isolate a bensulfuron-methyl (BSM)-degrading strain of Bacillus spp.and to evaluate its effectiveness in remediation of a BSM-contaminated soil.A BSM-degrading bacterium,strain L1,was successfully isolated in this study. Strain L1 was identified as Bacillus megaterium based on its morphological,physiological,and biochemical properties,G+C content,phylogenetic similarity of 16S rDNA,and fatty acid composition.Two experiments were used to examine BSM degradation by strain L1.When BSM was used as a sole carbon source in a mineral salt medium,the average degradation rate of BSM by strain L1 was 12.8%,which suggested that the strain was able to utilize BSM as a sole carbon and energy source.Supplement of yeast extract (200 mg L~(-1)) significantly (P≤0.01) accelerated the degradation of BSM by strain L1.Almost complete degradation (97.7%) of BSM could be achieved in 84 h with addition of yeast extract.In addition,in a sterile soil with 50 mg L~(-1) BSM,BSM degradation rate by strain L1 was 94.3% in 42 d,indicating the potential of using microbes for the remediation of BSM-contaminated soils in fields.