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Effects of Biodegradable Microplastics on Soil and Lettuce Health: Rhizosphere Microbiome and Metabolome Responses
Summary
Researchers tested how two common biodegradable microplastics affect lettuce growth and the microbial communities around its roots. At higher concentrations, both types of biodegradable plastics inhibited lettuce growth and significantly disrupted the balance of beneficial soil microbes and plant metabolic processes. The findings suggest that even plastics marketed as biodegradable can negatively impact soil health and crop development when present in sufficient quantities.
Biodegradable microplastics (BMPs) have been widely detected in soils due to their widespread production and utilization. However, their impacts on rhizosphere microbial consortia and plant metabolic adaptation mechanisms have been insufficiently characterized. Here, two typical BMPs, polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate and polyhydroxybutyrate, were selected to assess the effects of individual and combined exposure on the rhizosphere and metabolomes of lettuce at different concentration levels (0.1 and 2%). Results revealed that both 2% BMPs inhibited lettuce growth. Similarly, 2 wt % BMPs also altered community structures. Several biomarkers, including Bacillus and Streptomyces, were identified for BMP exposure. The metabolomic analysis revealed that 2% BMPs significantly altered the root and leaf metabolomes of lettuce. Pathways and metabolites related to plant defense toward environmental stresses, like aucubin, bisnorbiotin, l-rhamnose, and niazimin, were also enriched after BMPs treatment. This study highlights the impact of BMPs on soil and plant health, improving our comprehension of their combined ecological impact on the soil environment.