Fungus 'rewires' maize plants, causing tumor-like growths by hijacking root formation process

When a maize plant is attacked by the fungus Ustilago maydis, tumor-like tissue growths occur at the site of infection. How the pathogen causes this response in its host has long been unknown. But a University of Bonn study has now shown how the fungus takes over the plant's function of forming lateral roots. The findings have been published in the journal New Phytologist.