Long-term impacts of conservation pasture management in manuresheds on system-level microbiome and antibiotic resistance genes

Animal manure enhances soil fertility and organic carbon content. However, its prolonged deposition can introduce antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) into the soil-water ecosystem. Moreover, the long-term influence of manure application on the soil-water microbiome, vital for soil health and fertility, remains underexplored. This study evaluates how conservation practices, sustained over 15 years, affect ARG distribution and microbial dynamics. We also examine the relationships between bacterial taxa, heavy metals, soil health indicators, and ARGs across manures, soils, and surface runoffs.