Elevated CO2 Increased Antibiotic Resistomes in Seed Endophytes: Evidence from a Free-Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) Experiment

Abstract

Climate warming affects antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in soil and the plant microbiome, including seed endophytes. Seeds act as vectors for ARG dissemination in the soil–plant system, but the impact of elevated CO₂ on seed resistomes remains poorly understood. Here, a free-air CO₂ enrichment system was used to examine the impact of elevated CO₂ on seed-associated ARGs and seed endophytic bacteria and fungi. Results indicated that elevated CO₂ levels significantly increased the relative abundance of seed ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs), especially those related to beta-lactam resistance and MGEs. Increased CO₂ levels also influenced the composition of seed bacterial and fungal communities and the complexity of bacteria–fungi interactions. Fungi were more sensitive to changes in the CO₂ level than bacteria, with deterministic processes playing a greater role in fungal community assembly. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed a stronger correlation between fungi and ARGs compared to bacteria. The structure equation model (SEM) showed that elevated CO₂ directly influenced seed resistomes by altering bacterial composition and indirectly through bacteria–fungi interactions. Together, our work offers new insights into the effects of elevated CO₂ on antibiotic resistomes in the seed endosphere, highlighting their increased dissemination potential within soil–plant systems and the associated health risks in a changing environment.