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Polypropylene microplastics reshape diazotrophic community composition and interactions in the plastisphere without affecting the rhizosphere of Capsicum annuum L.
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Researchers examined how polypropylene microplastics reshape diazotrophic bacterial community composition in soil and alter nitrogen fixation, finding that PP microplastics disrupted the abundance of key nitrogen-fixing genera and reduced overall biological nitrogen fixation rates.
Interactions between microorganisms and microplastics play a crucial role in soil biological processes; however, the response of microbial functional groups in the presence of microplastics (MP) remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the diversity and composition of free-living nitrogen-fixing microorganisms (diazotrophs) in the rhizosphere and plastisphere of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) across three growth stages under MP stress, using an optimized pipeline for functional nifH gene sequence analysis. Our results showed that MP addition suppressed plant growth, although soil properties were not significantly altered, except for soil pH, which was significantly reduced at each plant growth stage. Notable differences in diazotrophic community composition were observed between the rhizosphere and plastisphere, with the genus Rubrivax exhibiting a significantly lower relative abundance in the plastisphere. Moreover, we found strong deterministic assembly processes and intense network structures of diazotrophs in the plastisphere. Interestingly, MP addition did not significantly alter the diversity, composition, or network properties of diazotrophic communities in the rhizosphere compared to control soils. Our study provides insights into the interactions between microbial functional groups and microplastics, enhancing our understanding of the biological processes that drive ecological nutrient cycling and balance in changing environments.
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Soil plastisphere interferes with soil bacterial community and their functions in the rhizosphere of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)
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Scientists found that microplastics in soil create their own unique microbial communities, called the plastisphere, which can include potential human pathogens and plastic-degrading bacteria. These plastisphere communities interacted with the bacteria around pepper plant roots, potentially affecting plant health and soil function. The study suggests that microplastic contamination in farm soil could change the microbial environment around food crops and possibly introduce harmful bacteria into the food production system.
[Characterization of Microplastics and Diazotrophic Community in Greenhouse Soils with Vegetable Planting Ages in Karst Areas].
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Researchers characterised microplastics and nitrogen-fixing (diazotrophic) bacterial communities in greenhouse soils from vegetable fields of different planting ages in a karst area of China. Older cultivation soils had higher MP accumulation and distinct diazotroph community structures, suggesting long-term plastic mulch use progressively alters soil nitrogen fixation ecology.
Microplastic pollution on the soil and its consequences on the nitrogen cycle: a review
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This review examines microplastic pollution impacts on soil nitrogen cycling, finding that microplastics alter soil structure, serve as novel microbial colonization surfaces, and affect the microbial communities responsible for nitrogen fixation, nitrification, and denitrification.
Polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride microplastics promote soil nitrification and alter the composition of key nitrogen functional bacterial groups
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Researchers found that polyethylene and PVC microplastics in soil increased nitrification (a key step in the nitrogen cycle) and changed the composition of nitrogen-processing bacteria. These changes could affect soil fertility and the availability of nutrients for crops. The study highlights how microplastic contamination in agricultural soil may have hidden effects on food production by altering fundamental soil processes.
Microplastics disrupt the nitrogen-fixing bacterial community with consequences for plant growth
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Tiny plastic fibers in soil can mess with the helpful bacteria that plants rely on to pull nitrogen from the air, a process crucial for healthy growth, but the effects depend on the type of plastic, with some helping and others hurting root growth or the bacterial partnerships plants need. This matters because as plastic pollution builds up in farmland, it could quietly disrupt the natural systems that keep our food crops fed and healthy, even before we fully understand the ripple effects on the food we eat.
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