Researchers discovered that Streptomyces scabiei, a bacterium that causes common scab disease in potatoes and other root crops, produces numerous airborne chemical compounds with surprising benefits. Using advanced chemical analysis, they identified 36 different volatile molecules, many of which can kill harmful fungi and promote plant health. This discovery suggests the bacterium’s role in nature is more complex than previously thought, as it may actually help protect plants while causing disease, opening new possibilities for developing natural pest control solutions.