Amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA genes from different substrates in agricultural areas with intensive use of poultry litter

This study aimed to characterize the bacterial communities in different agricultural substrates from areas with intensive poultry litter utilization. Five sampling events were conducted in triplicate across two agricultural and chicken production areas during both the dry and rainy seasons. The sampled materials included: (i) poultry litter, (ii) cultivable soil fertilized with this organic residue, (iii) rhizospheric soil from Sechium edule (chayote), (iv) water, and (v) sediment from irrigation ponds. Given the widespread use of poultry litter as an organic fertilizer and its associated risks in spreading antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in agricultural environments, it is crucial to investigate the application of poultry litter to soils, along with the substrates and agricultural products cultivated in these areas. It is also important to characterize the microbial community of the poultry litter and different agricultural substrates in locations where poultry litter is used. This research will help clarify the mechanisms of AMR dissemination and its consequences for public health, adopting a One Health approach.