Research progress and ecological function of phages in soil

Phages play important roles in modulating microbial communities, and subsequently determining element circulation and pollutant transformation in the earth surface ecosystem. Compared with aquatic systems, the high heterogeneity of soil and the high adsorption of virus-like particles bring great challenges to the study of phages in soil, and leading to insufficient attention by far. In this review, the morphological and life cycle classification, extraction and analytic methods for phages in soil, were briefly summarized. In addition, the scientific linkage of phages in regulating soil microbial community structure and the cycle of life elements (e.g. carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur) with the transformation of heavy metals (metalloid), were further discussed. The underlying biogeochemical mechanisms were revealed, and the ecological functions and environmental significances were clarified. Finally, the future research focuses of soil phages were prospected.