The article by Bonfante and Genre provides an in-depth review of the mechanisms underlying beneficial plant-fungus interactions in mycorrhizal symbiosis. Mycorrhizal fungi, which are diverse and widespread, form symbiotic relationships with over 90% of plant species, enhancing nutrient uptake and improving plant growth and resistance to stress. Recent advancements in molecular biology, high-throughput sequencing, and advanced microscopy have revealed detailed insights into the signaling pathways and nutrient transporters involved in these interactions. The authors highlight the importance of both partners in the symbiosis, with fungi improving nutrient status in plants and plants providing a necessary environment for fungal growth. Mycorrhizal fungi colonize various environments, including forests, grasslands, and croplands, playing a crucial role in nutrient cycling. They can be classified into two main groups: aseptate endophytes and septate Asco- and Basidiomycota. The article discusses the two broad categories of mycorrhizas: ectomycorrhizas (EMs) and endomycorrhizas (EMs and AMs). The review focuses on the mechanisms governing the growth of EM and AM fungi and their interactions with plants. Genomic studies of EM fungi, such as *Laccaria bicolor* and *Tuber melanosporum*, have provided insights into their unique characteristics and the factors regulating mycorrhiza development. In contrast, AM fungi, which are more challenging to study due to their asexual nature and complex life cycle, have also been the subject of genetic and transcriptomic analyses. The article emphasizes the role of nutrient and signal exchange in these symbioses, particularly the uptake of phosphorus, nitrogen, and carbon. It also discusses the unique biological features of AM fungi, including their ability to import organic and inorganic nitrogen sources and their reliance on plant hosts for growth and reproduction. The establishment of AM interactions is mediated by a partially characterized signaling pathway, which shares similarities with Rhizobium-legume symbiosis. The authors conclude by discussing the evolutionary history of AM associations, suggesting that these symbioses have coevolved with plants over millions of years, contributing to the conquest of dry terrestrial ecosystems by Embryophyta. They also highlight the potential future directions for research, including the application of these findings in agricultural practices and the development of sustainable agriculture.The article by Bonfante and Genre provides an in-depth review of the mechanisms underlying beneficial plant-fungus interactions in mycorrhizal symbiosis. Mycorrhizal fungi, which are diverse and widespread, form symbiotic relationships with over 90% of plant species, enhancing nutrient uptake and improving plant growth and resistance to stress. Recent advancements in molecular biology, high-throughput sequencing, and advanced microscopy have revealed detailed insights into the signaling pathways and nutrient transporters involved in these interactions. The authors highlight the importance of both partners in the symbiosis, with fungi improving nutrient status in plants and plants providing a necessary environment for fungal growth. Mycorrhizal fungi colonize various environments, including forests, grasslands, and croplands, playing a crucial role in nutrient cycling. They can be classified into two main groups: aseptate endophytes and septate Asco- and Basidiomycota. The article discusses the two broad categories of mycorrhizas: ectomycorrhizas (EMs) and endomycorrhizas (EMs and AMs). The review focuses on the mechanisms governing the growth of EM and AM fungi and their interactions with plants. Genomic studies of EM fungi, such as *Laccaria bicolor* and *Tuber melanosporum*, have provided insights into their unique characteristics and the factors regulating mycorrhiza development. In contrast, AM fungi, which are more challenging to study due to their asexual nature and complex life cycle, have also been the subject of genetic and transcriptomic analyses. The article emphasizes the role of nutrient and signal exchange in these symbioses, particularly the uptake of phosphorus, nitrogen, and carbon. It also discusses the unique biological features of AM fungi, including their ability to import organic and inorganic nitrogen sources and their reliance on plant hosts for growth and reproduction. The establishment of AM interactions is mediated by a partially characterized signaling pathway, which shares similarities with Rhizobium-legume symbiosis. The authors conclude by discussing the evolutionary history of AM associations, suggesting that these symbioses have coevolved with plants over millions of years, contributing to the conquest of dry terrestrial ecosystems by Embryophyta. They also highlight the potential future directions for research, including the application of these findings in agricultural practices and the development of sustainable agriculture.