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Freeze-thaw aged film-derived polyethylene and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) microplastics differentially regulate the toxicity of acetochlor on maize
Summary
Researchers studied how freeze-thaw weathering changes the way agricultural film microplastics interact with herbicide toxicity in maize. They found that weathered biodegradable PBAT microplastics actually reduced herbicide stress more effectively than fresh ones, while weathered polyethylene microplastics became less protective. The study suggests that environmental aging of different plastic types can shift how they influence pesticide impacts on crops.
Microplastics (MPs) from agricultural films and herbicides persistently coexist within the agroecosystem. Freeze-thaw (FT) cycles can induce changes in the surface properties of MPs at mid- and high-latitudes, which may affect the phytotoxicity of co-existing herbicides. This study investigated the mechanisms by which original and FT-aged low-density polyethylene (PE) and poly(butylene adipate- co -terephthalate) (PBAT) MPs regulate the toxicity of acetochlor (ACT) on maize. Results showed that the regulation of original and FT-aged MPs on maize biomass and oxidative stress could reflect changes in ACT toxicity. Overall, original and FT-aged MPs alleviated ACT toxicity on maize by triggering glutathione production and enhancing microbial community stability. However, compared with original MPs, FT-aged PE-MPs exhibited a reduced alleviation capacity (14.88–53.31%), associated with suppressed eugenol (26.52–40.20%) and caffeic acid (30.18–30.77%) synthesis and decreased abundance of Pseudobdellovibrio and Luteolibacter . In contrast, FT-aged PBAT-MPs enhanced the alleviation of ACT stress on maize (48.52–365.93%) by enhancing microbial network stability, upregulating growth hormones (32.13–120.46%), and elevating oxidative stress-related phenolic compounds. FT-aged MPs also alleviated the adverse effect of ACT on photosynthetic capacity (7.14–340.47%) relative to original MPs by increasing the abundance of pollutant-degrading bacteria. This study offers new insights into how FT-aged MPs differentially regulate the toxicity of ACT on maize and provides guidance for sustainable agricultural development. • Original and freeze thaw aged microplastics (MPs) alleviated ACT toxicity on maize. • Original and freeze thaw (FT) aged MPs enhanced glutathione-mediated detoxification. • FT-aged PBAT alleviated ACT toxicity by regulating microbial activity and hormones. • Relative to original MP, FT-aged PE diminished its capacity to alleviate ACT toxicity. • FT-aged PE-MPs suppressed phenolic antioxidants and plant-beneficial bacteria.