The ability of plants to sense when they are being attacked and mount a successful defence response is fundamental to their survival and growth. Understanding such processes could aid efforts to develop high-yielding crops. Writing in Nature, Ge et al.1 present fresh insights into mechanisms underlying plant-defence pathways. Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription $32.99 / 30 days cancel any time Subscribe to this journal Receive 51 print issues and online access $199.00 per year only $3.90 per issue Rent or buy this article Prices vary by article type from$1.95 to$39.95 Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-026-00494-z Ge, D. et al. Nature https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10215-1 (2026). Article Google Scholar Jones, J. D. G., Vance, R. E. & Dangl, J. L. Science 354, aaf6395 (2016). Article PubMed Google Scholar Hu, Z. & Chai, J. Annu. Rev. Biophys.…