We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Dual Effects of Polyethylene Microplastics on Solanum lycopersicum L.‐Soil Systems: Plant Growth Promotion and Microbial Network Simplification
AI summary Read the abstract
A potted plant experiment tested how plastic particles from mulch films, mixed into soil at different types and amounts, affected tomato plants over 80 days. Low amounts boosted plant height and weight, while a high amount of one plastic type reduced plant weight and changed soil microbe communities, increasing some soil nutrients but lowering others.
ABSTRACT Low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) and high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) particles are primary components of agricultural mulch films. The extensive application and degradation of these films lead to the accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in soil, necessitating an integrated assessment of their impact on crop‐soil systems. Therefore, we assessed the impact of various concentrations of LDPE at 5% w / w (L0505), 10% w / w (L0510) and HDPE at 5% w / w (H2005), at 10% w / w (H2010) on Solanum lycopersicum L. in an 80‐day pot experiment, measuring plant growth, antioxidant enzyme activities and rhizosphere soil properties. The findings revealed that PE‐MPs exerted strong, concentration‐dependent effects on plant growth. Under treatment conditions of L0505, L0510 and H2005, the plant height showed an increase of 28.33%, 36.81% and 34.81% while the dry weight increased to 16.36%, 54.84% and 98.73%, respectively. Conversely, H2010 significantly inhibited growth, reducing dry weight by 50.69%. Plant antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, POD, CAT) generally increased as a stress response, with POD activity rising by 194.40% under H2010. Soil organic matter (SOM) content increased significantly in all treatments, with the H2010 treatment increasing by 177.61%. H2010 increased available potassium by 32.73% but decreased available phosphorus by 11.70%. The ACE and Chao1 indices indicate that microbial richness showed a decreasing trend in all MPs exposure conditions. Co‐occurrence network analysis suggested altered microbial interactions due to MPs. High‐concentration HDPE reduced network complexity, whereas low concentrations enhanced positive correlations. PLS‐PM revealed that while PE‐MPs positively affected soil chemical properties, they exerted indirect negative effects on plant growth by restructuring the microbial community. Functional prediction indicated enhanced TCA cycle activity and oxidative phosphorylation but suppressed nitrogen and sulphur metabolism in the soil. These findings emphasise the critical influence of MP type and concentration on plant–soil‐microbe interactions, highlighting that while low levels may stimulate growth, high accumulation poses risks to microbial stability and crop health.
More Papers Like This
Impact of Polystyrene Microplastics on Soil Properties, Microbial Diversity and Solanum lycopersicum L. Growth in Meadow Soils
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested how polystyrene microplastics of different sizes and concentrations affect tomato plant growth and soil microbes. Surprisingly, some microplastic treatments boosted plant growth and soil nutrients, while others reduced microbial diversity and disrupted soil community networks. The mixed results show that microplastic effects on agriculture are complex and depend on particle size and concentration, making it difficult to predict how contaminated soil will affect food crops.
Can microplastics threaten plant productivity and fruit quality? Insights from Micro-Tom and Micro-PET/PVC
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Effects of microplastics polluted soil on the growth of Solanum lycopersicum L.
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Microplastics reshape rhizosphere microbial communities and nutrient cycling in tomato agroecosystems
AI summary Read the abstract
Tiny plastic particles from pollution are seeping into farm soil and disrupting the natural microbes that help tomato plants absorb nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. This research found that different types of plastic (like those from packaging and pipes) throw off soil chemistry and bacterial activity in ways that could affect how healthy and nutrient-rich our food crops grow. While this study looked at soil, not food safety directly, it adds to growing evidence that microplastic pollution may be quietly affecting the food system from the ground up.
Effects of polyethylene microplastics on the growth of Arabidopsis thaliana & Phaseolus vulgaris and their soil
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed the plants Arabidopsis thaliana and Phaseolus vulgaris to polyethylene microplastics at different concentrations and found effects on plant growth and soil microbial communities. The study contributes to a limited but growing body of evidence on how microplastic pollution in agricultural soils may affect crop plants and soil health.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.