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The varied effects of different microplastics on stem development and carbon-nitrogen metabolism in tomato

Environmental Pollution 2025 5 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 63 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Yilan Cui, Mangu Hu, Xiao Yang, Rongchao Yang, Rongchao Yang, Yilan Cui, Rongchao Yang, Rongchao Yang, Rongchao Yang, Yilan Cui, Yueqin Zhang Yueqin Zhang, Yuejun Fu, Yilan Cui, Mingzhu Guan, Mingzhu Guan, Mingzhu Guan, Yuejun Fu, Xiao Yang, Xiao Yang, Yilan Cui, Yilan Cui, Yuejun Fu, Mangu Hu, Xiao Yang, Xiao Yang, Yilan Cui, Mangu Hu, Xiao Yang, Mangu Hu, Mingzhu Guan, Mangu Hu, Mangu Hu, Mangu Hu, Mangu Hu, Mangu Hu, Yilan Cui, Yilan Cui, Rongchao Yang, Yueqin Zhang Yilan Cui, Yilan Cui, Yuejun Fu, Rongchao Yang, Yueqin Zhang Yueqin Zhang Yueqin Zhang Yueqin Zhang, Yueqin Zhang, Yueqin Zhang, Yueqin Zhang Yueqin Zhang, Yueqin Zhang Yueqin Zhang Yueqin Zhang, Yueqin Zhang Yueqin Zhang Yueqin Zhang, Yueqin Zhang, Yueqin Zhang, Yueqin Zhang Yueqin Zhang, Yueqin Zhang

Summary

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.

Polymers

PE PLA PP PS PVC

Body Systems

Cardiovascular

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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