Insights into the beneficial effects of woody peat for reducing abundances of antibiotic resistance genes during composting.

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in manure endangered human health, while heavy metals in manure will pose selective pressure on ARGs. This study explored the effects on ARGs of adding woody peat during composting at different ratios (0 (CK), 5% (T1), and 15% (T2)). After composting, the relative abundances of 8/11 ARGs were 6.97-38.09% and 10.73-54.31% lower in T1 and T2, respectively, than CK. The bioavailable Cu content was 1.40% and 18.40% lower in T1 and T2, respectively, than CK. Network analysis showed that ARGs, mobile genetic elements (MGEs), and metal resistance genes possessed common potential host bacteria, such as Streptococcus, Dietzia, and Corynebacterium_1. Environmental factors, especially bioavailable Cu, and MGEs accounted for 80.75% of the changes in the abundances of ARGs. In conclusion, 15% Woody peat is beneficial to decrease the bioavailable Cu content and weaken horizontal gene transfer for controlling the spread of ARGs during composting.