Bioremediation potential of sulfadiazine-degrading bacteria: Impacts on ryegrass growth and soil functionality

The extensive use of antibiotics, particularly sulfadiazine (SDZ), has led to significant environmental contamination and the proliferation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). This study investigates the bioremediation potential of two SDZ-degrading bacterial strains, Acinetobacter sp. M9 and Enterobacter sp. H1, and their impact on ryegrass (Lolium perenne) growth and the inter-root microenvironment in SDZ-contaminated soils. A pot experiment combined with amplicon and metagenomic sequencing revealed that inoculation with M9 and H1 significantly enhanced ryegrass growth by alleviating oxidative stress, increasing chlorophyll content, and improving soil nutrient availability. The strains also promoted SDZ degradation efficiency and improved carbon and nitrogen cycling through the upregulation of key functional genes. Furthermore, microbial community analysis demonstrated increased alpha diversity, shifts in dominant taxa, and functional enrichment in pollutant degradation pathways. The dynamics of ARGs revealed a decrease in aminoglycoside, rifamycin, and streptomycin resistance genes, while sulfonamide resistance genes increased due to the residual SDZ stress. These findings highlight the potential of M9 and H1 as sustainable bioremediation agents to mitigate antibiotic contamination, improve soil health, and support plant growth in polluted environments.