Antibiotic Uptake by Vegetable Crops from Manure-Applied Soils

Antibiotic Uptake by Vegetable Crops from Manure-Applied Soils

Summary

We conducted two field experiments (Waseca and Staples, MN) on plant uptake of 5 antibiotics: chlortetracycline, tylosin, monensin, sulfamethazine, and virginiamycin and their uptake by 11 different vegetables (pepper, garlic, carrots, cabbage, potatoes, sweet corn, pepper, lettuce, onions, spinach, tomatoes) from soils that have been applied with antibiotics in fresh or composted hog or turkey manure. We prepared our own compost. We used wood shavings for composting liquid hog manure. We then extracted the antibiotics from manure, soil, and plant samples in peptone water. We are in the process of analyzing the extracts for presence of antibiotics.

Objectives/Performance Targets

(1) To test the extent of antibiotic (chlortetracycline, tylosin, or sulfamethazine) uptake by eleven vegetable crops (spinach, lettuce, cabbage, carrots, radish, onion, garlic, tomatoes, green pepper, sweet corn and potatoes) from two different textured soils that have been fertilized with antibiotic-containing turkey manure and hog manure,

2) to document the differences in antibiotic uptake by vegetables that have been fertilized with fresh vs. composted turkey and hog manures, and

3) to document the presence or absence of antibiotics in certified organic vs. conventional commercial vegetables that have been grown in manure applied soils.

Accomplishments/Milestones

We have completed the work on antibiotic degradation during composting, plant uptake of antibiotics, and have made contacts with some producers who are certified organic producers and a few who are conventional producers but use manure as a source of nutrients.

Next year we will be collecting manure, soil, and vegetable samples from these producers.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

The senior PI made three presentations and had an interview about our project. There is lots of interest in the final results. Our inquiries came from as far as Florida and Canada.
Interview with Stephanie Domet on Main Street Program of CBC radio in Nova Scotia. The interview was on our research on the presence of antibiotics in vegetables. (1/15/09)

Invited to give a talk on “Antibiotic Feeding in Livestock and Its Consequences on the Environment at Fifth Annual Regional Bioscience Conference, Worthington, MN 2 April 2009.

Invited to give a talk on “Does Antibiotic Use in Livestock Affect Human Health?” at a symposium “Healthy Foods, Healthy Lives” Minneapolis, MN 21 September 2009.

Gave a Poster Presentation on Antibiotic Uptake by Vegetable Crops from Manure-Amended Soils at a field day at the Southern Research and Outreach Center, Waseca, MN. 10 September 2009.

Collaborators: