Researchers isolated 415 fungal endophytes from Spain's arid Cabo de Gata region, finding that select strains can suppress up to 15 crop pathogens while simultaneously boosting plant biomass. Dark septate endophytes showed particular promise, producing growth hormones, iron-scavenging compounds, and enzymes that improve nutrient uptake, even under saline or drought conditions. Compatibility testing revealed that certain fungicides routinely used in horticulture are harmful to