We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Effects of Microplastics on Germination and Seedlings Growth of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Summary
Researchers tested the effects of different microplastics on wheat seed germination and seedling growth and found that all treatments reduced plant development compared to controls. Polythene-containing microplastic treatments had the most negative impact, with significant reductions in both shoot and root length across wheat varieties.
Microplastics pose a serious threat to both ecosystems and human health. It is increasingly detected in agricultural soil but how these microplastics affects on plant growth system that has remained poorly understood. The present investigation was assessed the effect microplastics in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings growth. Different microplastics in aqueous solution showed varied response on wheat seedlings growth. It was noted that after 10 days of seedlings growth in petri dishes, the WMRI-I wheat showed maximum efficiency of germination percentage (87.5%), shoot elongation (6.68 cm), root elongation (6.62 cm) and lateral root formation (4.38 roots/seedling) than WMRI-II and WMRI-III. At all the cases, the minimum growth response was noticed in WMRI-III wheat. The F-value reveals that shoot and root length were significantly different towards microplastic treatments. The present findings also indicate that PPLCW (microplastic plus polythene) treatment had more negative impact on wheat seedlings growth. J. Bio-Sci. 33(2): 51-56, 2025
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Effects of Different Microplastics on Wheat’s (Triticum aestivum L.) Growth Characteristics and Rhizosphere Soil Environment
Researchers exposed wheat plants to multiple types of microplastics — including polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene — at different concentrations to compare their effects on plant growth and physiological parameters. Different polymer types caused varying degrees of growth inhibition and oxidative stress.
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings performance mainly affected by soil nitrate nitrogen under the stress of polyvinyl chloride microplastics
Researchers evaluated the effects of polyvinyl chloride microplastics on wheat seedling growth and soil properties. They found that microplastics significantly reduced shoot biomass and soil nitrate nitrogen levels, suggesting that disrupted nitrogen availability may be the primary mechanism affecting plant growth. The study indicates that microplastic contamination in agricultural soils could impair crop development by altering soil nutrient dynamics.
[Effects of Microplastics on the Growth, Physiology, and Biochemical Characteristics of Wheat (Triticum aestivum)].
Wheat seedlings were grown in soils spiked with 100 nm and 5 μm polystyrene microplastics, with high concentrations (200 mg/L) significantly inhibiting root and stem elongation, reducing chlorophyll, and altering antioxidant enzyme activity, with smaller nanoplastics showing greater toxicity. The findings demonstrate that microplastic size influences phytotoxicity in a major agricultural crop.
Impact of polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) on seed germination and seedling growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Researchers exposed wheat seeds and seedlings to polystyrene nanoplastics and found that while germination rates were unaffected, root growth increased significantly compared to controls. However, the nanoplastics were taken up by the roots and transported to the shoots, reducing micronutrient absorption and altering key metabolic pathways related to energy and amino acid production. The findings suggest that nanoplastics can fundamentally change how crop plants grow and process nutrients.
Investigating the Impact of Microplastics Type of Polyethylene, Polypropylene, and Polystyrene on Seed Germination and Early Growth of Rice Plants
Researchers investigated how three common types of microplastics, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene, affect rice seed germination and early seedling growth. They found that microplastic exposure altered root development and shoot growth, with the effects varying by polymer type. The study raises concerns about how microplastic-contaminated agricultural soils could affect staple crop establishment and food production.