TORONTO (Reuters) - The Toronto Stock Exchange's main index climbed strongly higher yesterday, spurred by a rebound in resource sectors and a strong quarterly profit from fertiliser firm Agrium.

The materials and energy groups were the main impetus for the gains as investors returned to stocks that were battered in a steep selloff in the previous session.

The energy sector benefited from the rebound even though oil prices fell to a low near $117 a barrel before settling at $118.58. In Toronto, Canadian Natural Resources gained 5.7 percent.

Agrium rose 5.3 percent after the world's third-largest nitrogen producer said profit more than doubled in the wake of surging demand and prices for fertiliser.

The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 211.31 points, or 1.6 percent, at 13,453.51 with all but two of its 10 main sectors pointing higher.

The energy and materials sectors pushed up 2.7 percent and 3.2 percent, respectively. In the oil patch, Canadian Natural Resources was up C$4.28 at C$79.28, while Suncor Energy rose C$1.92, or 3.7 percent, to C$54.30.

Agrium closed up C$4.38 at C$87.16, and fellow fertilizer company Potash Corp of Saskatchewan rose C$8.80, or 4.9 percent, to C$189.30.

Investors fled both groups on Tuesday amid a broad decline in commodities, helping drive the overall benchmark down nearly two percent.

Tech heavyweight Research In Motion helped pull its sector up 2.8 percent, as shares of the BlackBerry-maker rose C$6.31, or five percent, to C$133.23.

Telecoms company BCE Inc. climbed after it said its profit fell, but it signed up long-term phone subscribers at the fastest pace in about two-and-a-half years.

BCE was up 50 Canadian cents, or 1.3 percent, at C$39.66.