Scientists tested three strains of a beneficial fungus called Beauveria bassiana to control crop-damaging insects and promote wheat growth. The best-performing strain, CBM1, successfully killed multiple types of pest insects and colonized wheat plants when applied to the soil. Wheat plants colonized with this fungus grew taller with longer roots and showed significantly better protection against fall armyworms, suggesting this fungus could be a valuable tool for sustainable, pesticide-free crop protection.