Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Agricultural Soils: A Comprehensive Review of the Hidden Crisis and Exploring Control Strategies

This paper aims to review the sources, occurrence patterns, and potential risks of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in agricultural soils and discuss strategies for their reduction. The pervasive utilization of antibiotics has led to the accumulation of ARGs in the soil. ARGs can be transferred am...

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Main Authors: Yuanye Zeng, Runqiu Feng, Chengcheng Huang, Jie Liu, Fengxia Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Toxics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/4/239
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author Yuanye Zeng
Runqiu Feng
Chengcheng Huang
Jie Liu
Fengxia Yang
author_facet Yuanye Zeng
Runqiu Feng
Chengcheng Huang
Jie Liu
Fengxia Yang
author_sort Yuanye Zeng
collection DOAJ
description This paper aims to review the sources, occurrence patterns, and potential risks of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in agricultural soils and discuss strategies for their reduction. The pervasive utilization of antibiotics has led to the accumulation of ARGs in the soil. ARGs can be transferred among microorganisms via horizontal gene transfer, thereby increasing the likelihood of resistance dissemination and heightening the threat to public health. In this study, we propose that physical, chemical, and bioremediation approaches, namely electrokinetic remediation, advanced oxidation, and biochar application, can effectively decrease the abundance of ARGs in the soil. This study also highlights the significance of various control measures, such as establishing a strict regulatory mechanism for veterinary drugs, setting standards for the control of ARGs in organic fertilizers, and conducting technical guidance and on-farm soil monitoring to reduce the environmental spread of ARGs and protect public health.
format Article
id doaj-art-fb7147c0d6cd490abbdc2103891ed66d
institution DOAJ
issn 2305-6304
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Toxics
spelling doaj-art-fb7147c0d6cd490abbdc2103891ed66d2025-08-20T03:13:51ZengMDPI AGToxics2305-63042025-03-0113423910.3390/toxics13040239Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Agricultural Soils: A Comprehensive Review of the Hidden Crisis and Exploring Control StrategiesYuanye Zeng0Runqiu Feng1Chengcheng Huang2Jie Liu3Fengxia Yang4Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tianjin 300191, ChinaCollege of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, ChinaAgro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tianjin 300191, ChinaCollege of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, ChinaAgro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tianjin 300191, ChinaThis paper aims to review the sources, occurrence patterns, and potential risks of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in agricultural soils and discuss strategies for their reduction. The pervasive utilization of antibiotics has led to the accumulation of ARGs in the soil. ARGs can be transferred among microorganisms via horizontal gene transfer, thereby increasing the likelihood of resistance dissemination and heightening the threat to public health. In this study, we propose that physical, chemical, and bioremediation approaches, namely electrokinetic remediation, advanced oxidation, and biochar application, can effectively decrease the abundance of ARGs in the soil. This study also highlights the significance of various control measures, such as establishing a strict regulatory mechanism for veterinary drugs, setting standards for the control of ARGs in organic fertilizers, and conducting technical guidance and on-farm soil monitoring to reduce the environmental spread of ARGs and protect public health.https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/4/239agricultural soilantibiotic resistance genessourcespotential riskscontrol strategies
spellingShingle Yuanye Zeng
Runqiu Feng
Chengcheng Huang
Jie Liu
Fengxia Yang
Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Agricultural Soils: A Comprehensive Review of the Hidden Crisis and Exploring Control Strategies
Toxics
agricultural soil
antibiotic resistance genes
sources
potential risks
control strategies
title Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Agricultural Soils: A Comprehensive Review of the Hidden Crisis and Exploring Control Strategies
title_full Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Agricultural Soils: A Comprehensive Review of the Hidden Crisis and Exploring Control Strategies
title_fullStr Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Agricultural Soils: A Comprehensive Review of the Hidden Crisis and Exploring Control Strategies
title_full_unstemmed Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Agricultural Soils: A Comprehensive Review of the Hidden Crisis and Exploring Control Strategies
title_short Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Agricultural Soils: A Comprehensive Review of the Hidden Crisis and Exploring Control Strategies
title_sort antibiotic resistance genes in agricultural soils a comprehensive review of the hidden crisis and exploring control strategies
topic agricultural soil
antibiotic resistance genes
sources
potential risks
control strategies
url https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/4/239
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AT runqiufeng antibioticresistancegenesinagriculturalsoilsacomprehensivereviewofthehiddencrisisandexploringcontrolstrategies
AT chengchenghuang antibioticresistancegenesinagriculturalsoilsacomprehensivereviewofthehiddencrisisandexploringcontrolstrategies
AT jieliu antibioticresistancegenesinagriculturalsoilsacomprehensivereviewofthehiddencrisisandexploringcontrolstrategies
AT fengxiayang antibioticresistancegenesinagriculturalsoilsacomprehensivereviewofthehiddencrisisandexploringcontrolstrategies