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Micro and nanoplastic pollution in agricultural soils: effects on rhizosphere processes and phytotoxicity
Summary
Tiny plastic particles are building up in farm soil, even more than in the ocean, and this review of existing research shows they can disrupt the delicate root zone where plants absorb nutrients and interact with helpful microbes. This disruption can stunt plant growth and potentially affect crop quality, meaning the food we eat could be another route by which plastic pollution reaches our bodies. More research is still needed to fully understand how these plastics harm plants, but the findings signal that fixing plastic waste management in farming is an urgent priority.
Microplastic and nanoplastic (MPs/NPs) pollution is a major environmental threat affecting ecosystems and human health. Soils contain higher levels of MPs/NPs than oceans, underscoring the urgent need for improved plastic waste management in agriculture. Studies show that MPs/NPs disrupt the rhizosphere by altering soil properties and microbial dynamics, impairing plant growth. This review outlines their fate in terrestrial ecosystems, their rhizosphere impacts, and emphasizing the need to understanding phytotoxicity mechanisms for safe crop production.