We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Unveiling the Effects of Polypropylene Microplastics (PP-MPs) on Growth Attributes and Antioxidant Defense System in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Summary
Scientists found that tiny plastic particles from everyday items like food containers can harm wheat plants when present in soil at higher levels, stunting their growth and reducing important nutrients. This matters because wheat is a major food crop worldwide, and if microplastics continue building up in farmland soil, it could affect our food supply and the nutritional quality of foods we eat. The study shows that plastic pollution isn't just an ocean problem—it's also threatening the crops that feed us.
Abstract Microplastics (MPs), as emerging pollutants in soil ecosystems, are increasingly alarming and present severe environmental threats to crop plants. Despite the elevated pollution of MPs in terrestrial ecosystems, the impact of polypropylene microplastics (PP-MPs) on plant growth and physiology has not been clearly elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to reveal the effects of different levels of polypropylene microplastics (0.05%, 0.1%, 0.5%, and 1% PP-MPs) on wheat, one of the world's foremost crops. While 0.05% PP microplastic did not affect plant growth, 0.1%, 0.5%, and 1% PP microplastic pollution resulted in inhibition of shoot and root growth attributes. Stunted plant growth was accompanied by oxidative stress, as indicated by increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) content in this study. Higher levels of PP-MPs (0.5% and 1% PP) notably reduced photosynthetic pigment contents (chlorophyll a , chlorophyll b , total chlorophyll, and carotenoid) and total protein amount. Furthermore, exposure to higher concentrations of PP-MPs induced an increase in proline content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities to reduce the harmful effects of oxidative stress. The overall pattern of this study demonstrated that 0.05% PP-MPs had no adverse effect on wheat, but higher PP-MP contamination led to detrimental effects. These findings encourage addressing issues associated with microplastic pollution in crop plants and ultimately highlight the importance of plastic waste management for sustainable agriculture in soils.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
[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.
Vertical movement of microplastics by roots of wheat plant (Triticum aestivum) and the plant response in sandy soil
This study investigated how wheat plant roots affect the movement of microplastics deeper into soil. The researchers found that root growth physically pushed microplastic fibers and fragments downward in the soil profile, potentially contaminating deeper soil layers and groundwater. The findings matter because they show that farming itself can spread microplastic pollution deeper into agricultural land, where it becomes harder to remove and more likely to affect water sources.
Microplastics reduce the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) net photosynthetic rate through rhizospheric effects
Microplastics were shown to reduce the net photosynthesis and growth of wheat plants, with effects increasing at higher plastic concentrations. This demonstrates that microplastic contamination in agricultural soils poses a direct threat to crop productivity and food security.
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.
Microplastic exposure inhibits nitrate uptake and assimilation in wheat plants
This study found that polystyrene microplastics in soil significantly reduced wheat plants' ability to absorb nitrate, an essential nutrient for growth. The microplastics damaged roots and shut down key genes needed for nutrient uptake and processing. This matters because microplastic contamination in farmland could reduce crop yields and lower the nutritional quality of the food we grow.