Researchers at the Institute of Applied Ecology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) have unlocked new insights into the previously underappreciated world of soil viruses and their critical role in maintaining healthy ecosystems.

Soil Viruses: Tiny Players, Big Impact

While long recognized for their influence on biodiversity, soil fertility, and plant health, a new study led by Dr. LIANG Xiaolong reveals the significant impact of soil viruses on biogeochemical cycles, the complex processes that govern the movement of elements through an ecosystem.

Dr. LIANG's team examined the intricate interactions between viruses and their microbial hosts at both cellular and community levels. Their findings highlight the crucial role viruses play in controlling the vital cycles of organic carbon and nutrients within the soil. This research underscores the urgent need to incorporate viruses into soil ecology studies, especially those focused on understanding the diverse services ecosystems provide.

The study identified a strong positive correlation between the abundance of soil viruses and microbes, with a wide variation of Virus-to-Microbe Ratios observed. Dr. LIANG's team emphasizes the importance of understanding viral life cycles and their influence on soil microbes to fully grasp the ecological functions of these tiny players. The way viruses replicate – their dependence on host cell metabolism, and their choice between lytic (immediate cell death) or lysogenic (integration into host genome) replication – directly affects the fate of the host cell and ultimately, the fate of nutrients within the soil.

Viruses: Regulators of Essential Elements

Dr. Liang's study suggests that viruses can directly influence microbial activity and biomass turnover, impacting how essential elements like carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur are regulated within soil biogeochemical processes. These changes ultimately affect the transformation and preservation of biogenic elements within soil ecosystems.

This groundbreaking research fills a gap in our understanding of soil ecology and establishes a foundation for a more comprehensive appreciation of the contribution of soil viruses to the health and function of terrestrial ecosystems. The findings have been published in the journals Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology and Applied Soil Ecology.