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Effects of polystyrene microplastics on the growth and metabolism of highland barley seedlings based on LC-MS
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Researchers exposed highland barley seedlings to different concentrations of polystyrene microplastics and found that low to medium levels actually increased plant growth, while high levels significantly reduced it. The microplastics triggered oxidative stress and disrupted key metabolic pathways involved in flavonoid production, energy metabolism, and fatty acid production. These changes to crop metabolism could affect the nutritional quality and safety of food crops grown in microplastic-contaminated soil.
Microplastics are widely present in the environment and can adversely affect plants. In this paper, the effects of different concentrations of microplastics on physiological indices and metabolites of highland barley were investigated for the first time using a metabolomics approach, and revealed the response mechanism of barley seedlings to polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) was revealed. The results showed that the aboveground biomass of highland barley exposed to low (10 mg/L) and medium (50 mg/L) concentrations of PS-MPs increased by 32.2% and 48.2%, respectively. The root length also increased by 16.4% and 21.6%, respectively. However, the aboveground biomass of highland barley exposed to high (100 mg/L) concentrations of PS-MPs decreased by 34.8%, leaf length by 20.7%, and root length by 25.9%. Microplastic exposure increased the levels of antioxidant activity, suggesting that highland barley responds to microplastic stress through oxidative stress. Metabolome analysis revealed that the contents of 4 metabolites increased significantly with increasing PS-MPs concentration in positive ionmode, while the contents of 8 metabolites increased significantly with increasing PS-MPs concentration in negative ionmode (P < 0.05), including prunin, dactylorhin E, and schisantherin B. Additionally, PS-MPs significantly interfered with highland barley flavonoid biosynthesis, pyrimidine metabolism, purine metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis metabolic pathways. This study provides a new theoretical basis for a deeper understanding of the effects of different concentrations of PS-MPs on highland barley.
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Effects of polystyrene microplastics on the agronomic traits and rhizosphere soil microbial community of highland barley
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Researchers investigated how polystyrene microplastics of different sizes and concentrations affect highland barley growth and the microbial communities in surrounding soil. They found that smaller particles reduced grain weight while larger particles decreased spike dimensions, and all microplastic treatments significantly lowered soil bacterial diversity. The study also showed that adding degrading bacteria helped restore microbial community structure closer to normal conditions.
Diverse microplastics reprogram rhizosphere processes and constrain photosynthetic performance in barley through coordinated changes in oxidative regulation, nutrient cycling, enzyme hotspots, and microbial organization
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A greenhouse study grew barley in soil mixed with high levels of polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride microplastics for 60 days. The plastics changed soil nutrients, enzyme activity, and microbial communities, and were linked to lower antioxidant activity and reduced photosynthesis in the plants. Researchers noted the high plastic levels and short timeframe mean results may not reflect real farm conditions.
Effect of Polystyrene Microplastics on Rice Seed Germination and Antioxidant Enzyme Activity
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Researchers tested how different concentrations of polystyrene microplastics affect rice seed germination, root growth, and antioxidant enzyme activity. They found that at higher concentrations, the microplastics inhibited root growth and triggered oxidative stress responses in the seedlings. The study indicates that microplastic contamination in agricultural soils could interfere with early crop development, potentially affecting food production.
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