The Effect of Fertilization with Antibiotic-Contaminated Manure on Microbial Processes in Soil

Antibiotics are a great blessing for humanity, and they have saved millions of human lives. Antimicrobials have enabled humans to produce animal-based foods that are free of pathogens. However, antibiotics also have a number of weaknesses. The use of antimicrobials in livestock production can have a...

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Main Authors: Jadwiga Wyszkowska, Dariusz Mikulski, Agata Borowik, Magdalena Zaborowska, Jan Kucharski, Krzysztof Kozłowski, Magdalena Bilecka, Anna Gajda, Konrad Pietruk, Piotr Jedziniak, Katarzyna Ognik, Jan Jankowski
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Agriculture
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/9/979
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author Jadwiga Wyszkowska
Dariusz Mikulski
Agata Borowik
Magdalena Zaborowska
Jan Kucharski
Krzysztof Kozłowski
Magdalena Bilecka
Anna Gajda
Konrad Pietruk
Piotr Jedziniak
Katarzyna Ognik
Jan Jankowski
author_facet Jadwiga Wyszkowska
Dariusz Mikulski
Agata Borowik
Magdalena Zaborowska
Jan Kucharski
Krzysztof Kozłowski
Magdalena Bilecka
Anna Gajda
Konrad Pietruk
Piotr Jedziniak
Katarzyna Ognik
Jan Jankowski
author_sort Jadwiga Wyszkowska
collection DOAJ
description Antibiotics are a great blessing for humanity, and they have saved millions of human lives. Antimicrobials have enabled humans to produce animal-based foods that are free of pathogens. However, antibiotics also have a number of weaknesses. The use of antimicrobials in livestock production can have adverse consequences for the natural environment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the applicability of manure from turkeys administered monensin (M), enrofloxacin (E), and doxycycline (D) as soil fertilizer and to determine the impact of these antibiotics on the physicochemical, microbiological, and biochemical properties of soil in a pot experiment. The following treatments were established: unfertilized soil (S), soil fertilized with turkey manure free of antibiotics (C), soil fertilized with turkey manure containing only M (M), soil fertilized with turkey manure containing M and E (ME), and soil fertilized with turkey manure containing M, E, and D (MED). The experimental plant was <i>Zea mays</i>. The study demonstrated that the soil application of turkey manure containing all three antibiotics (MED) did not inhibit the growth of <i>Zea mays</i>, did not lead to adverse changes in the physicochemical properties of soil, and did not disrupt the abundance or diversity of culturable microorganisms, despite the fact that these antibiotics were identified in both the soil and <i>Zea mays</i> roots. The application of manure containing M, E, and D in the cultivation of <i>Zea mays</i> contributed to the transfer and presence of E and D in soil and maize roots. Antibiotics were not detected in above-ground plant parts. Monensin was not identified in soil or plant samples. The tested manure induced significant changes in the biochemical index of soil quality and in the microbiome of non-culturable bacteria and fungi at both phylum and genus levels. These results indicate that manure from turkeys administered M, E, and D should be used with caution to avoid permanent changes in the microbiome and biochemical properties of soil. Manure contaminated with antimicrobials can be used in the production of fodder crops that do not accumulate antibiotics in above-ground parts.
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spelling doaj-art-eb0c34c635f94d38a6549fe330dc1d952025-08-20T03:52:56ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722025-04-0115997910.3390/agriculture15090979The Effect of Fertilization with Antibiotic-Contaminated Manure on Microbial Processes in SoilJadwiga Wyszkowska0Dariusz Mikulski1Agata Borowik2Magdalena Zaborowska3Jan Kucharski4Krzysztof Kozłowski5Magdalena Bilecka6Anna Gajda7Konrad Pietruk8Piotr Jedziniak9Katarzyna Ognik10Jan Jankowski11Department of Soil Science and Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, PolandDepartment of Poultry Science and Apiculture, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, PolandDepartment of Soil Science and Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, PolandDepartment of Soil Science and Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, PolandDepartment of Soil Science and Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, PolandDepartment of Poultry Science and Apiculture, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, PolandDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57, 24-100 Puławy, PolandDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57, 24-100 Puławy, PolandDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57, 24-100 Puławy, PolandDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57, 24-100 Puławy, PolandDepartment of Biochemistry and Toxicology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, PolandDepartment of Poultry Science and Apiculture, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, PolandAntibiotics are a great blessing for humanity, and they have saved millions of human lives. Antimicrobials have enabled humans to produce animal-based foods that are free of pathogens. However, antibiotics also have a number of weaknesses. The use of antimicrobials in livestock production can have adverse consequences for the natural environment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the applicability of manure from turkeys administered monensin (M), enrofloxacin (E), and doxycycline (D) as soil fertilizer and to determine the impact of these antibiotics on the physicochemical, microbiological, and biochemical properties of soil in a pot experiment. The following treatments were established: unfertilized soil (S), soil fertilized with turkey manure free of antibiotics (C), soil fertilized with turkey manure containing only M (M), soil fertilized with turkey manure containing M and E (ME), and soil fertilized with turkey manure containing M, E, and D (MED). The experimental plant was <i>Zea mays</i>. The study demonstrated that the soil application of turkey manure containing all three antibiotics (MED) did not inhibit the growth of <i>Zea mays</i>, did not lead to adverse changes in the physicochemical properties of soil, and did not disrupt the abundance or diversity of culturable microorganisms, despite the fact that these antibiotics were identified in both the soil and <i>Zea mays</i> roots. The application of manure containing M, E, and D in the cultivation of <i>Zea mays</i> contributed to the transfer and presence of E and D in soil and maize roots. Antibiotics were not detected in above-ground plant parts. Monensin was not identified in soil or plant samples. The tested manure induced significant changes in the biochemical index of soil quality and in the microbiome of non-culturable bacteria and fungi at both phylum and genus levels. These results indicate that manure from turkeys administered M, E, and D should be used with caution to avoid permanent changes in the microbiome and biochemical properties of soil. Manure contaminated with antimicrobials can be used in the production of fodder crops that do not accumulate antibiotics in above-ground parts.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/9/979antibiotics in soilantibiotics in plantssoil microbiomesoil enzymes
spellingShingle Jadwiga Wyszkowska
Dariusz Mikulski
Agata Borowik
Magdalena Zaborowska
Jan Kucharski
Krzysztof Kozłowski
Magdalena Bilecka
Anna Gajda
Konrad Pietruk
Piotr Jedziniak
Katarzyna Ognik
Jan Jankowski
The Effect of Fertilization with Antibiotic-Contaminated Manure on Microbial Processes in Soil
Agriculture
antibiotics in soil
antibiotics in plants
soil microbiome
soil enzymes
title The Effect of Fertilization with Antibiotic-Contaminated Manure on Microbial Processes in Soil
title_full The Effect of Fertilization with Antibiotic-Contaminated Manure on Microbial Processes in Soil
title_fullStr The Effect of Fertilization with Antibiotic-Contaminated Manure on Microbial Processes in Soil
title_full_unstemmed The Effect of Fertilization with Antibiotic-Contaminated Manure on Microbial Processes in Soil
title_short The Effect of Fertilization with Antibiotic-Contaminated Manure on Microbial Processes in Soil
title_sort effect of fertilization with antibiotic contaminated manure on microbial processes in soil
topic antibiotics in soil
antibiotics in plants
soil microbiome
soil enzymes
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/9/979
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