Response of Nicandra physalodes (Linn.) Gaertn. and Its Rhizospheric Organisms to the Selective Pressures of High-Concentration Oxytetracycline, Ciprofloxacin, and Tobramycin

Antibiotics play an essential role in the treatment of infectious diseases in humans and animals. Despite their benefits, the release of an increasing amount of various antibiotics into the environment poses a potential threat to plants, soils, animals, and microorganisms. Here, an outdoor pot experiment was conducted to preliminarily evaluate high concentrations of three antibiotics (oxytetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and tobramycin) on Nicandra physalodes (Linn.) Gaertn. and its rhizospheric organisms. The results showed that the three antibiotics had different effects on the growth behavior (germination uniformity, average growing height gain per week, and thousand seed weight) and biomass (aboveground biomass and belowground biomass) of Nicandra physalodes (Linn.) Gaertn. After adding high concentrations of the three antibiotics to the soil of each test group, the earthworm extract in group A (oxytetracycline) significantly increased the coagulation parameters prothrombin time (PT) and thrombin time (TT). The PT significantly decreased (p < 0.01), while the TT was not affected in group B (ciprofloxacin). For group C (tobramycin), the TT significantly decreased (p < 0.01) and the PT was not affected compared to the CK group (control group). The application of the three antibiotics caused alterations in the general activity of enzymes, such as soil sucrase (SC), urease (UE), acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), and nitrate reductase (NR). Different antibiotic groups influenced the rhizosphere bacterial diversity and community structure of Nicandra physalodes (Linn.) Gaertn. At the phylum level, Ignavibacteriae was only found in group C, and Parcubacteria and Ignavibacteriae were not present in the CK group. At the genus level, Parcubacteria_norank was not present in the CK group, and BSV40_norank was found in group C. Ultimately, the results suggested that high concentrations of oxytetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and tobramycin could affect the growth behavior and biomass of Nicandra physalodes (Linn.) Gaertn. and alter its rhizobacterial community structure, providing the scientific basis for the rational use of antibiotics in animal husbandry and veterinary science.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the effects of three antibiotics on Nicandra physalodes and its rhizobacterial community. The results showed that the antibiotics influenced the growth behavior, biomass, soil enzyme activity, and bacterial diversity of Nicandra physalodes. This research provides a scientific basis for the rational use of antibiotics in animal husbandry and veterinary science.