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The varied effects of different microplastics on stem development and carbon-nitrogen metabolism in tomato
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Researchers tested how six different types of microplastics, including both conventional and biodegradable varieties, affect tomato plant growth. All types disrupted the plants' internal structure and altered how they processed carbon and nitrogen, with PVC causing the most severe damage. Notably, biodegradable plastics like PLA and PBS were not harmless either, suggesting that switching to so-called eco-friendly plastics may not fully protect agricultural soil and food crops from microplastic contamination.
Microplastics (MPs) pollution negatively impacts agricultural production, posing serious challenges to food security. However, research on the effects of different MPs types on plant growth, particularly on anatomical structures and carbon-nitrogen metabolism, is limited. This study investigates the effects of six MPs types on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Micro Tom) seedlings, including four non-degradable plastics (polyethylene [PE], polypropylene [PP], polystyrene [PS], and polyvinyl chloride [PVC]) and two biodegradable plastics (polybutylene succinate [PBS] and polylactic acid [PLA]). Results showed that MPs exposure inhibited seedling growth, with the degree of inhibition dependent on both the concentration and MPs type. MPs exert a significant negative impact on the development of the cortex (ct), vascular bundles (VBs), and pith tissue (pi) in tomato stems. Among them, PS-MPs induce relatively weaker negative effects. Analyses of key enzyme activities and gene expression revealed that MPs inhibited glycolysis pathway (EMP) and the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA), while enhancing the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). Specifically, PBS-MPs and PVC-MPs strongly suppressed carbon assimilation, while PBS-MPs severely inhibited nitrogen assimilation. The results indicate that the negative impacts of biodegradable plastics on plants are comparable to those of traditional plastics. This study improves our understanding of the specific toxic effects of various MPs types on plant growth and metabolism.
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Can microplastics threaten plant productivity and fruit quality? Insights from Micro-Tom and Micro-PET/PVC
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Researchers grew tomato plants in soil containing environmentally realistic levels of PET and PVC microplastics and found mixed effects on plant productivity and fruit quality. While some growth parameters were affected, the microplastics also altered the mineral content of the tomatoes. This study suggests that microplastics in agricultural soil could change the nutritional profile of the food we eat.
The multifaceted mechanisms of microplastic inhibition of tomato plant growth: oxidative toxicity, metabolic perturbation, and photosynthetic damage
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Researchers exposed tomato seedlings to biodegradable and conventional microplastics and investigated photosynthetic performance, metabolic disruption, and oxidative stress responses. Both microplastic types inhibited tomato growth and caused oxidative damage, with impacts on the photosynthetic apparatus and metabolite profiles, challenging the assumption that biodegradable plastics are safer for agricultural systems.
Phytotoxicity of polystyrene, polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.)
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Researchers tested the effects of polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene microplastics on tomato plant growth using hydroponic experiments at various concentrations. The study found that all three types of microplastics negatively affected seed germination, root growth, and plant development, with effects varying by plastic type and concentration. These findings suggest that microplastic contamination in agricultural settings could interfere with crop growth and food production.
Biodegradable microplastics affect tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) growth by interfering rhizosphere key phylotypes
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Scientists found that biodegradable microplastics, often promoted as eco-friendly alternatives, can negatively affect tomato plant growth by disrupting beneficial soil bacteria around the roots. This suggests that even plastics designed to break down in the environment may still pose risks to agriculture and food production as they degrade into microplastic fragments.
Effects of microplastics polluted soil on the growth of Solanum lycopersicum L.
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This study tested how microplastic-contaminated soil affects tomato plant growth, finding that higher concentrations of plastic particles in soil reduced plant height, root development, and overall crop health. The results suggest that microplastic pollution in farmland could reduce food crop yields and potentially affect the quality of the produce we eat.
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