A beneficial bacteria called Bacillus subtilis ED24 was found to effectively protect wheat plants from a destructive fungal disease called Fusarium culmorum. When applied to wheat seeds, this bacteria improved seed germination and plant growth better than a commercial chemical fungicide, while also promoting helpful microorganisms in the soil around the plant roots. The bacteria works by producing special chemical compounds that kill the harmful fungus and by enriching the soil microbiome with beneficial organisms.