The impacts of phage-actinobacterial interactions on the ecological functions of actinobacteria

A century ago, the knowledge of phages’ contributions in the ecology of Actinobacteria by controlling its population through lysis was brought to light. Ever since then, scientists have been exploring this aspect of viral-bacterial ecology to understand how it affects the ecosystem, man, industry and microbial evolution. Viral predation influences the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. In this review, we highlighted recent advances in the ecological roles of Actinobacteria, factors affecting actinobacteria-phage interactions, implications of actinobacteria-phage interactions on the ecological functions of Actinobacteria in the terrestrial ecosystem as well as actinobacterial resistance mechanisms to phage infection. [Display omitted] •Actinobacterial ecological functions are essential for plant growth, productivity and yield.•Phage predation of actinobacteria influence its ecological and physiological activities in diverse ecosystems.•Actinobacteria – phage interactions are genetically and phenotypically controlled.