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Antibiotic resistant gene dissipation in soil microcosmsCore ideas (3-5 impact statements, 85 char max for each)The dissipation of manure associated ARGs was not impacted by soil vegetative growth.Five of six quantified ARGs dissipated over time with half-lives ranging from 4.7 to 10.7 d.

Poultry litter is a valuable nutrient resource for agricultural production but is also a potential source for introducing antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and litter‐associated bacteria (LAB) to the environment. Prairie strips have been demonstrated as an effective conservation practice to improve environmental quality in agroecosystems. This research aims to assess prairie strips’ potential for reducing the transport of LAB and ARGs in runoff after litter application. Plot‐scale rainfall simulations were performed using a replicated block design, with soil and surface runoff samples taken during the rainfall event. Microbial taxa and ARGs were characterized in the litter, soil, and water samples. In plots with litter application, LAB and ARGs were mainly detected in runoff, with very low detection in soils. Detection of ARGs in runoff, irrespective of strip installations, is consistent with previous observations of litter as a source of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) risks. The effectiveness of prairie strips to remove LAB and ARGs varied. In two of the three prairie strip plots, fewer AMR indicators were detected relative to control plots, suggesting that the prairie strips can potentially reduce these risks. In one plot, which was also associated with increased flow rate, we observed increased AMR indicators despite the installation of a prairie strip. Our observations highlight the need to prioritize understanding of soil properties even within the same site. Although we show that prairie strips can potentially reduce AMR risks, further research is needed to better understand the influence of rainfall timing, soil, and litter characteristics.

Incorporating vegetative filter strips (VFS) in agroecosystems can reduce the downstream dissemination of sediments and manure-borne contaminants, including nutrients and fecal organisms from agricultural runoff. One source of these contaminants is swine manure, a valuable source of nitrogen and phosphorus that is commonly applied at agronomic rates as an organic fertilizer on agricultural land. In addition to nutrients, manure contains complex microbial communities and potentially pathogenic bacteria that could pose a threat to human health.Additionally, its offsite movement of nutrients and fecal contaminants is a substantial threat to surface water quality (Burkholder et al., 1997;