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Impact of Polystyrene Microplastics on Soil Properties, Microbial Diversity and Solanum lycopersicum L. Growth in Meadow Soils
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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.
The pervasive presence of microplastics (MPs) in agroecosystems poses a significant threat to soil health and plant growth. This study investigates the effects of varying concentrations and sizes of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) on the Solanum lycopersicum L.'s height, dry weight, antioxidant enzyme activities, soil physicochemical properties, and rhizosphere microbial communities. The results showed that the PS0510 treatment significantly increased plant height (93.70 cm, +40.83%) and dry weight (2.98 g, +100%). Additionally, antioxidant enzyme activities improved across treatments for S. lycopersicum L. roots. Physicochemical analyses revealed enhanced soil organic matter and nutrient levels, including ammonium nitrogen, phosphorus, and effective potassium. Using 16S rRNA sequencing and molecular ecological network techniques, we found that PS-MPs altered the structure and function of the rhizosphere microbial community associated with S. lycopersicum L. The PS1005 treatment notably increased microbial diversity and displayed the most complex ecological network, while PS1010 led to reduced network complexity and more negative interactions. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis identified biomarkers at various taxonomic levels, reflecting the impact of PS-MPs on microbial community structure. Mantel tests indicated positive correlations between microbial diversity and soil antioxidant enzyme activity, as well as relationships between soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activity. Predictions of gene function revealed that PS-MP treatments modified carbon and nitrogen cycling pathways, with PS1005 enhancing methanogenesis genes (mcrABG) and PS1010 negatively affecting denitrification genes (nirK, nirS). This study provides evidence of the complex effects of PS-MPs on soil health and agroecosystem functioning, highlighting their potential to alter soil properties and microbial communities, thereby affecting plant growth.
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Dual Effects of Polyethylene Microplastics on Solanum lycopersicum L.‐Soil Systems: Plant Growth Promotion and Microbial Network Simplification
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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.
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.
Multifaceted effects of microplastics on soil-plant systems: Exploring the role of particle type and plant species
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Researchers tested how three different types of microplastics — fibers, fragments, and spheres — affect soil properties and vegetable growth. The effects varied significantly depending on both the type of plastic and the plant species, with some microplastics actually promoting root growth in certain vegetables. These mixed results highlight that the impact of microplastic contamination on food crops is complex and depends on the specific conditions in each field.
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.
Microplastics reshape rhizosphere microbial communities and nutrient cycling in tomato agroecosystems
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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.
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