American scientists have found the DNA of unknown phages and viruses that infect insects in the soils of three American states.

Phys.org indicates that researchers from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) collected samples from the pastures of Washington, Kansas and Iowa, which are characterized by high humidity, and are characterized by a high percentage of bacteria, which are host bodies for soil bacteriophage viruses. . After creating precise nucleotide sequences and linking them to viral genomes in databases, the researchers found 14 complete virus genomes.

And it became clear to the researchers, that the viruses are more in dry soil than in wet. This explains why the microbes in the soils of dry climate areas are less but more diverse. The relatively lack of bacteria helps to reduce the pathogenicity of viruses, which are in their interest to preserve the life of their host. Moreover, researchers have discovered unknown types of eukaryotic viruses that infect insects.

In addition, viruses in drier soils are likely to contain genes that can transmit them to bacteria. These genes may be beneficial to the bacteria and increase their ability to recycle carbon, thus improving soil health.