Combined effects of azoxystrobin and oxytetracycline on rhizosphere microbiota of Arabidopsis thaliana

[Display omitted] •The responses of bulk and rhizosphere microorganisms to pesticides were different.•Rhizospheres were more sensitive to azoxystrobin and oxytetracycline.•The rhizosphere resists stress by enhancing network stability and complexity.•Co-exposure to azoxystrobin and oxytetracycline caused antagonistic effects.•Antagonism affects organic-degrading bacteria and ABC transporters. The rhizosphere is one of the key determinants of plant health and productivity. Mixtures of pesticides are commonly used in intensified agriculture. However, the combined mechanisms underlying their impacts on soil microbiota remain unknown. The present study revealed that the rhizosphere microbiota was more sensitive to azoxystrobin and oxytetracycline, two commonly used pesticides, than was the microbiota present in bulk soil. Moreover, the rhizosphere microbiota enhanced network complexity and stability and increased carbohydrate metabolism and xenobiotic biodegradation as well as the expression of metabolic genes involved in defence against pesticide stress. Co-exposure to azoxystrobin and oxytetracycline had antagonistic effects on Arabidopsis thaliana growth and soil microbial variation by recruiting organic-degrading bacteria and regulating ABC transporters to reduce pesticide uptake. Our study explored the composition and function of soil microorganisms through amplicon sequencing and metagenomic approaches, providing comprehensive insights into the synergistic effect of plants and rhizosphere microbiota on pesticides and contributing to our understanding of the ecological risks associated with pesticide use.