Soil volatilomics uncover tight linkage between soybean presence and soil omics profiles in agricultural fields. soil metagenome

Conserving land and water resources, along with developing climate-resilient crop varieties, is critical for ensuring a stable food supply and sustainable agricultural production. These measures are crucial for mitigating food insecurity amid burgeoning global population growth. In this context, our study explored the use of soil volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as indicators of soil health in agricultural fields. Employing comprehensive VOC profiling, also known as soil volatilomics, we assessed interaction between soil conditions and plant health, especially in soybean fields under different agricultural practices. Our findings indicate that the presence of soybean plants, particularly during the flowering period, significantly influences soil VOC profiles. Specifically, VOC levels were substantially higher in fields treated with cow manure than in those without soybean plants. Additionally, soil VOC profiles showed strong correlations with soil-related omics datasets, suggesting that distinct factors influence VOC dynamics in these different environments. This study confirms the potential of soil VOC profiles as indicators of soil health and underscores their utility in agricultural management. The patterns observed in response to crop presence and treatment types highlight the potential of soil VOC profiling to inform more targeted and sustainable agricultural strategies, contributing to global food security efforts.