Abstract: The role of broad-host range IncP-1 epsilon plasmids in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance in agricultural systems has not yet been investigated. These plasmids were detected in total DNA from all of 16 manure samples and in arable soil based on a novel 5'-nuclease assay for real-time PCR. A correlation between IncP-1 epsilon plasmid abundance and antibiotic usage was revealed. In a soil microcosm experiment the abundance of IncP-1 epsilon plasmids was significantly increased even 127 days after application of manure containing the antibiotic compound sulfadiazine, compared to soil receiving only manure, only sulfadiazine, or water. Fifty IncP-1 epsilon plasmids that were captured in E. coli CV601gfp from bacterial communities of manure and arable soil were characterized by PCR and hybridization. All plasmids carried class 1 integrons with highly varying sizes of the gene cassette region and the sul1 gene. Three IncP-1 epsilon plasmids captured from soil bacteria and one from manure were completely sequenced. The backbones were nearly identical to that of the previously described IncP-1 epsilon plasmid pKJK5. The plasmids differed mainly in the composition of a Tn402-like transposon carrying a class 1 integron with varying gene cassettes, IS 1326, and in three of the plasmids the tetracycline resistance transposon In 1721 with various truncations. Diverse Beta- and Gammaproteobacteria were revealed as hosts of one of the IncP-1 epsilon plasmids in soil microcosms. Our data suggest that IncP-1 epsilon plasmids are important vectors for horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance in agricultural systems.