Soil microplastics hidden web: interaction of microbes and viruses as a frontier for sustainable ecosystem recovery

Microplastics (MPs) act as an emerging contaminant in agricultural ecosystems, affecting the health and function of the soil. Their presence can alter soil physicochemical properties, disrupt nutrient cycling processes, and ultimately influence crop productivity and quality. Meanwhile, MPs can also modify the soil microbiome by forming polymer-associated biofilms known as plastispheres, and altering the interactions between various microbial taxa. With a focus on the impact of bacteriophages on microbial communities and traits through processes like lysis, lysogeny, and horizontal gene transfer, this review summarizes the current understanding of soil-specific interactions between microorganisms and viruses. While examining the dual ecological effects of viral horizontal gene transfer on both plastic-degrading capacities, and the spread of antibiotic resistance, possible relationships between phage activity and soil biogeochemical processes are evaluated. Together with carefully planned biotechnological approaches, such as phage-assisted microbial augmentation and the application of virus-like particles, innovative analytical techniques, including metagenomics, viromics, and single-cell methodologies, enable the investigation of new diagnostic methods and potential approaches to support soil recovery under MP stress. In conclusion, a practical framework is proposed that connects diagnostics to management, focusing on continuous monitoring, standardized indicators, and a comprehensive risk assessment. This review demonstrates that MPs serve not only as physical pollutants but also as an abiotic stressor that alter the interactions among microbes, viruses, and soils. This finding indicates that the soil virome plays a significant yet underexplored role in the sustainability of agriculture.