This research reveals how certain bacteria living inside fungi can control their host’s ability to reproduce. The bacteria use specialized proteins called TAL effectors to influence fungal spore production, which is essential for maintaining their symbiotic relationship. This discovery helps us understand how microorganisms work together in nature and could lead to new ways to control crop diseases. Impacts on everyday life: – Provides insights that could help protect rice crops from fungal diseases – Advances our understanding of beneficial microbe relationships in agriculture – Could lead to new strategies for controlling harmful plant pathogens – May inspire new approaches for managing microbial interactions in medicine and biotechnology – Demonstrates how studying microscopic interactions can solve real-world problems