Scientists studied a beneficial fungus called Trichoderma longibrachiatum that can fight a harmful mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) which damages sunflower crops. They discovered that liquid containing products from this beneficial fungus can significantly stop the harmful mold from growing, prevent it from forming protective survival structures called sclerotia, and reduce its ability to infect plants. When tested on sunflower leaves, this fungal liquid was highly effective at both preventing disease before infection and stopping disease after infection had started.