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[Effects of Three Different Types of Microplastics on Cucumber Growth and Nitrogen Utilization].
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Researchers conducted a greenhouse pot trial examining the effects of three different microplastic types on cucumber growth and nitrogen utilization, finding that MP presence in soil disrupts normal nitrogen uptake and plant development, with effects varying by polymer type.
Microplastics （MPs） are increasingly recognized for their detrimental effects on the environment. However， their influence on agricultural ecosystems， particularly on crops like cucumber （Cucumis sativus L.）， remains unclear. In this study， we conducted a greenhouse pot trial to examine how three types of microplastics - polyethylene （PE）， polyvinyl chloride （PVC）， and polyethylene terephthalate （PET）-affect the growth and nitrogen uptake of cucumber seedlings. The results showed that， on the whole， microplastic addition increased cucumber seedling biomass by ca. 9.5%. Specifically， the PE treatment significantly boosted leaf and root biomass by day 28， while PVC treatment notably enhanced leaf and stem biomass and total biomass by day 70. The PET treatment significantly increased leaf biomass at days 28 and 70. Furthermore， microplastic addition increased nitrogen uptake by 10.8%， and the PET treatment significantly enhanced nitrogen uptake at days 28 and 70. Additionally， all microplastic treatments significantly improved 15N utilization in cucumber roots by day 28， while PET notably enhanced leaf 15N utilization by days 56 and 70. In conclusion， microplastic addition promoted cucumber growth and nitrogen uptake， with variations depending on microplastic type. These results contribute to understanding microplastic effects on crop growth and nitrogen uptake， offering insights for evaluating their impact on agricultural ecosystems.
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[Effects of Different Microplastics on Cucumber Seedling Growth and Soil Chemical Properties].
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Researchers found that "biodegradable" plastic particles in soil can actually harm cucumber seedlings by disrupting soil nutrients — with one type (called PCL) causing the most damage. This matters because it suggests that switching to biodegradable plastics isn't automatically a safe fix for plastic pollution, and it raises questions about how microplastics in farm soil could affect the food crops we eat.
The effects of microplastics on crop variation depend on polymer types and their interactions with soil nutrient availability and weed competition
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Researchers investigated how different types of microplastics interact with soil nutrient availability and weed competition to affect crop growth. The study found that the effects of microplastics on plant performance depend on the polymer type and are modulated by fertilization levels and competition from weeds, suggesting that real-world agricultural impacts of microplastic pollution may be more complex than laboratory studies indicate.
[Effects of Different Microplastics in Soil on Nitrogen Absorption and Metabolism in Lettuce （Lactuca sativa L.）].
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Researchers conducted pot experiments comparing the effects of degradable (PLA and PBAT) and non-degradable (PE) microplastics on nitrogen absorption and metabolism in lettuce, finding that different polymer types exert distinct influences on plant nitrogen utilization pathways.
Mitigating microplastic toxicity: How particle size and degrading bacteria influence Cucumis sativus L. seedlings
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Researchers tested how polystyrene microplastics of different sizes affect cucumber seedlings and whether adding plastic-degrading bacteria could reduce the damage. Surprisingly, large microplastic particles actually increased plant height and leaf area, while adding degrading bacteria further improved plant growth and enhanced beneficial soil microbial communities. The study suggests that biological degradation strategies using specialized bacteria could help mitigate microplastic pollution in agricultural settings.
Effects of microplastics and combined pollution of polystyrene and di-n-octyl phthalate on photosynthesis of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)
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Researchers studied how different types of microplastics and a common plastic plasticizer affect photosynthesis in cucumber plants. They found that the combination of polystyrene microplastics and the plasticizer had the most severe impact, reducing chlorophyll production and damaging the photosynthetic machinery. The study suggests that microplastic pollution in agricultural soils, especially combined with chemical additives that leach from plastics, could meaningfully impair crop growth.
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