Soil antibiotic resistome in farmland exhibits higher diversity and horizontal transfer potential than adjacent pastureland in agro-pastoral ecotone

Key Points

• The aim is to compare and understand the differences in soil antibiotic resistome patterns between farmland and pastureland.
• Analyzed soil samples from farmland and adjacent pastureland in an agro-pastoral ecotone
• Evaluated the diversity of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs)
• Assessed potential for horizontal gene transfer
• Soil antibiotic resistome in farmland exhibited greater diversity than pastureland
• Higher potential for horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes in farmland
• Identified essential driving factors for ARG contamination in agricultural contexts