Soil Virus Life-Strategy Conversion and Implications for Ecosystem and Soil Functions

© 2025 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Détails bibliographiques
Publié dans:Global change biology. - 1999. - 31(2025), 8 vom: 15. Aug., Seite e70460
Auteur principal: Tong, Di (Auteur)
Autres auteurs: Ma, Bin, Hu, Lingfei, Li, Yong, Dahlgren, Randy A, Xu, Jianming
Format: Article en ligne
Langue:English
Publié: 2025
Accès à la collection:Global change biology
Sujets:Journal Article Review environmental thresholds one health soil functions soil nutrient cycling soil virus viral life strategy conversion Soil
Description
Résumé:© 2025 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Both viral abundance and life state vary across contrasting soil environments and are crucial for mediating microbial metabolism and soil functions. Yet, why soil viruses favor the lytic or lysogenic cycle in a given soil environment, and to what extent they affect soil functions, remains unclear. In this review, we constructed a soil virus abundance dataset containing 691 samples, which for the first time included the lysogenic fraction index to quantify the proportion of soil viruses in the lysogenic state. Moreover, we have assessed the distribution and key drivers of soil viral properties based on 21 soil physicochemical indicators. We also systematically summarized three molecular mechanisms regulating viral lysis-lysogenic transformations that are believed to be widespread in soil environments. We propose a conceptual framework for a transition threshold of viral life strategies based on existing experimental evidence. When environmental stress falls below the critical tolerance level of soil microbes, soil viruses facilitate stress relief. However, once stress exceeds the microbial tolerance threshold, the soil viruses transition to another life cycle, such as from the lysogenic to lytic state. This transition results in completely different effects on microbial metabolic systems and associated soil functions. Further, we documented the role of soil viruses in soil ecosystem functions, highlighting in particular, the importance of the "viral shuttle" and "virovory" mechanisms for soil carbon sequestration and complementary One Health functions. Finally, we provide our perspective on future research needs to advance our understanding of soil virology and its impact on soil functions, particularly in the context of global climate change
Description:Date Completed 19.09.2025
Date Revised 19.09.2025
published: Print
Citation Status MEDLINE
ISSN:1365-2486
DOI:10.1111/gcb.70460