Conclusions

In a context of ecological transition, it has become necessary to take into account the biological aspects of soils (in their assessment and use). Meta-omics technologies clearly open up new possibilities, as they now provide a clearer picture of community distribution, expression and activity. The combined exploitation of these meta-omics data (by integrating and/or associating data obtained from different techniques) will, in time, provide a better understanding of how microbial communities interact with their soil environment.

In view of recent developments in meta-omics technologies, and their promise of advances in the near future (such as Oxford Nanopore's latest developments), it is possible to envisage the use of meta-omics approaches in soil quality diagnostics. Indeed, these new tools now provide access to certain exploitable information, and thus initiate...