The University of Guelph has discovered a microbe which protects plants against Fusarium.
Researchers found the M6 microbe in finger millet, a crop first domesticated in East Africa about 7000 years ago.
Plant agriculture professor Manish Raizada says it appears to be a new defense mechanism for plants.
He feels it likely developed as an evolutionary arms race to help the ancient crop fight Fusarium.
He also points out how important it is to tap into indigenous farming practices and further explore older crops.
Researchers note the microbe protects the plant by forming a protective barrier on the root surface. The roots then grow hairs many times their normal length, forming a mat which traps the fungus.
Raizada adds farmers in East Africa likely selected for the microbe by breeding those plants which performed best.
The university says M6 also protects against other fungi.
Researchers are now testing it on Canadian corn and wheat.
Finger millet feeds millions of people in Africa and South Asia.
