Viruses help cut farm greenhouse gas emissions by targeting soil microbes
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Viruses mitigate soil nitrogen loss and N2O emissions during denitrification by selectively infecting denitrifiers
Credit: Wei Song, Jinzhi Yao, Yingdong Fu & Shuping Qin
Viruses, often seen only as disease-causing agents, may hold surprising potential as natural allies in the fight against climate change. A new study published in Nitrogen Cycling reveals that soil viruses can reduce nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions by selectively infecting the microbes responsible for producing this potent greenhouse gas.
Nitrous oxide is nearly 300 times more powerful than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere. It is largely released from agricultural soils through a process called denitrification, in which soil microbes convert excess fertilizer into nitrogen gases. Until now, most efforts to curb these emissions have focused on fertilizer management and microbial communities, with little attention to the role of soil viruses.
Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences conducted controlled experiments to test how different concentrations of viruses affect soil emissions. They added live virus extracts to farm soil collected from the North China Plain, a region known for high fertilizer use and significant nitrogen losses. Using gas measurements and genetic sequencing, they discovered that viral addition reduced N2O emissions by up to 20 percent compared with untreated soil.
The reason, the team found, lies in the way viruses interact with denitrifying microbes. Viral infection suppressed major bacterial groups that carry the genes needed to produce nitrous oxide. In particular, the study highlighted that viruses targeted members of Pseudomonadota, an abundant group of soil bacteria, leading to lower production of greenhouse gases. Network analysis also showed that soils with higher virus levels developed more complex virus–microbe interactions, suggesting that viral infections actively reshaped the microbial community.
“Our findings show that viruses are not just passive residents of the soil but active players that can alter greenhouse gas emissions,” said senior author Shuping Qin. “This opens the door to considering virus-based approaches for climate-smart agriculture.”
While the study was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions, the authors emphasize that the findings could have wide-reaching implications. If similar results hold in farm fields, viral regulation of soil microbes might offer a new tool to help agriculture reduce its environmental footprint. The researchers suggest that phage-based applications could one day be developed to target high-emission microbes, though more studies are needed to test feasibility, safety, and stability in real-world soils.
By highlighting an overlooked component of soil ecosystems, this research points to the hidden potential of viruses in climate mitigation strategies. Far from being only destructive, viruses in the soil may play a critical role in supporting sustainable food production and protecting the planet.
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Journal Reference: Song W, Yao J, Fu Y, Qin S. 2025. Viruses mitigate soil nitrogen loss and N2O emissions during denitrification by selectively infecting denitrifiers. Nitrogen Cycling 1: e004 https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/nc-0025-0002
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About Nitrogen Cycling:
Nitrogen Cycling is a multidisciplinary platform for communicating advances in fundamental and applied research on the nitrogen cycle. It is dedicated to serving as an innovative, efficient, and professional platform for researchers in the field of nitrogen cycling worldwide to deliver findings from this rapidly expanding field of science.
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News article
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Article Title
Viruses mitigate soil nitrogen loss and N2O emissions during denitrification by selectively infecting denitrifiers
Long-term biochar use boosts soil health and soybean yields, study finds
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Rhizosphere metabolite-mediated soil enhancement: long-term biochar application optimizes continuous soybean production systems
Credit: Di Wu, Yuxue Zhang, Wenqi Gu, Zifan Liu, Wenjia Wang, Yuanyuan Sun, Liqun Xiu, Weiming Zhang & Wenfu Chen
A decade-long field study has revealed that biochar, a charcoal-like material made from plant residues, can significantly improve soil quality and boost soybean production in continuous cropping systems. The findings provide new evidence that biochar could be a powerful tool for making agriculture more sustainable.
Researchers from Shenyang Agricultural University tested the effects of biochar applied at two different rates compared with conventional fertilization. Over ten years, plots treated with biochar showed major improvements in soil structure, fertility, and microbial activity. Higher application levels enhanced soil porosity, increased organic carbon by more than 100 percent, and improved pH and nutrient balance while lowering soil compaction.
The study also showed that biochar reshaped soil microbial communities. Beneficial groups such as Firmicutes, Pseudomonas, and Mortierella became more abundant, while potential plant pathogens were suppressed. At the same time, biochar influenced the chemical signals plants release through their roots. These rhizosphere metabolites help regulate plant–microbe interactions. Biochar reduced compounds linked to soil stress and disease while promoting metabolites that strengthen plant defenses and growth.
“These results demonstrate that biochar does more than just improve soil structure. It also acts on the biological and chemical networks around plant roots, helping create a healthier ecosystem for crops,” said lead author Di Wu.
The benefits for farmers were clear. Biochar-treated soybeans grew taller, developed stronger root systems, and produced significantly higher yields. In high-dose plots, yields rose by nearly 46 percent compared to conventional fertilization.
Continuous soybean cultivation is widely practiced but often leads to declining soil fertility and rising disease pressure. Conventional solutions like fertilizers and pesticides can temporarily reduce problems but do not restore soil health. Biochar, by contrast, offers a long-lasting way to rebuild soil quality and resilience.
“Our decade of field data shows that biochar can support both soil restoration and crop productivity,” said co-author Wenfu Chen. “This could be a promising strategy for farmers facing the challenges of continuous cropping.”
The study provides strong evidence that biochar can play a vital role in advancing sustainable agriculture. By simultaneously improving soil physics, chemistry, and biology, it offers a practical solution to help secure global food supplies while protecting the environment.
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Journal Reference: Wu, D., Zhang, Y., Gu, W. et al. Rhizosphere metabolite-mediated soil enhancement: long-term biochar application optimizes continuous soybean production systems. Biochar 7, 95 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-025-00490-y
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About Biochar
Biochar is the first journal dedicated exclusively to biochar research, spanning agronomy, environmental science, and materials science. It publishes original studies on biochar production, processing, and applications—such as bioenergy, environmental remediation, soil enhancement, climate mitigation, water treatment, and sustainability analysis. The journal serves as an innovative and professional platform for global researchers to share advances in this rapidly expanding field.
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Biochar
Method of Research
Experimental study
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Article Title
Rhizosphere metabolite-mediated soil enhancement: long-term biochar application optimizes continuous soybean production systems
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