Comparison of interaction outcomes of eFp and pathogenic Fp8 with vascular and non-vascular plants: A for plant–eFp interactions, a stable mutualism was recorded across a wide range of plant lineages, indicating an almost complete loss of virulence of eFp. In contrast, Fp8 is detrimental to plant growth and can even cause disease symptoms in some plants; B macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of eFp and Fp8 on different culture media (PDA, CYA and SNA), incubated at 25 °C for 7 days; C root H2O2 production at seven time points in poplar roots inoculated with eFp and Fp8, as determined by DAB staining. Hpi, hour post-inoculation. Error bars represent SDs of the replicates. Data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.