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Effects of microplastics on functional genes related to CH4 and N2O metabolism in bacteriophages during manure composting and its planting applications
Summary
Researchers investigated how microplastic contamination affects bacteriophage genes related to methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) metabolism during manure composting and subsequent planting applications, finding that microplastics altered physicochemical properties and microbial communities. The results suggest that microplastic pollution in livestock and agricultural systems can influence greenhouse gas emissions via phage-mediated horizontal gene transfer.
Microplastics (MPs), as a new type of pollutant, widely exist in livestock and poultry breeding and agricultural soils. However, research on MPs pollution on greenhouse gas emissions in combined planting and breeding systems is lacking, especially from the perspective of phage horizontal gene transfer. Therefore, this paper explores the effects of MPs on functional genes related to CH and NO metabolism in bacteriophages during manure composting and its planting applications. The results of the study indicated that the addition of MPs had an impact on both the physicochemical properties and microbial community structure of manure during the composting process and on the compost-applied rhizosphere soil of lactuca (Lactuca sativa). Specifically, on day 7 of composting, mcrA/pmoA and (nirS+nirK) levels in bacteria in the MP group significantly increased. Additionally, it was observed that the MP group had higher average temperatures during the high-temperature period of composting, which led to a rapid reduction in phages. However, the phage levels quickly recovered during the cooling period. Furthermore, the addition of MPs to the rhizosphere soil resulted in higher levels of nirK. These changes may affect greenhouse gas emissions.