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The effects of diverse microplastics on adzuki bean (Vigna angularis) growth and physiologic properties
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Researchers tested the effects of three types of microplastics at different concentrations on adzuki bean growth and found that all types caused some damage, with biodegradable polylactic acid having the strongest negative impact on plant biomass. Higher microplastic concentrations significantly reduced chlorophyll content and triggered antioxidant stress responses. The study suggests that even supposedly eco-friendly biodegradable plastics can harm crop plants when they accumulate in soil.
Globally, microplastic pollution of soil ecosystems poses a major risk. The early studies found that the impact of microplastics on different plants could vary depending on the type of microplastic, the mass concentration or the plant species. This study investigated the effect of 3 mass concentrations (0.1%, 1%, and 2.5%) and 3 types of microplastics (PE MPs, PLA MPs, and PVC MPs) on adzuki bean biomass, root traits, Chlorophyll content and antioxidant enzymes. According to our findings, all microplastics had an impact on biomass, but PLA MPs had the strongest inhibitory effect. The high mass concentration of microplastics had a significant influence on chlorophyll content. Adzuki beans exhibited varying degrees of damage upon exposure to microplastics, but they were able to withstand the oxidative stress brought on by PE MPs by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and POD). Comparing the adverse effects of PE MPs on adzuki beans to those of PLA MPs and PVC MPs, principal component analysis and membership function value analysis revealed that the former had fewer impacts. Disparities in the observed effects may be attributed to variations in the properties of microplastics. Subsequent investigations into the mechanisms underlying microplastic toxicity need a more comprehensive exploration.
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The Influence of Polystyrene and Biodegradable Microplastics on Phaseolus vulgaris L. Growth
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Researchers grew common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in soils contaminated with polystyrene microplastics and biodegradable microplastics separately and assessed growth outcomes at two time points. Both plastic types reduced plant biomass, root length, and chlorophyll content in a dose-dependent manner, with the biodegradable variant showing comparable phytotoxicity to conventional polystyrene.
Effects of different types of microplastics in soil on nitrogen absorption and metabolism of quinoa
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Researchers grew quinoa in soils spiked with biodegradable (PLA, PBAT) and conventional (PE) microplastics at three concentrations, finding that all types reduced nitrogen-metabolizing enzyme activity and soil organic carbon decomposition, with biodegradable PBAT causing the greatest suppression of nitrogen absorption and moderate concentrations inducing the most severe oxidative stress.
Effects of polyethylene and polylactic acid microplastics on plant growth and bacterial community in the soil
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Researchers compared the effects of regular polyethylene and biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics on soybean growth and soil bacteria. Surprisingly, the biodegradable microplastics caused more harm than conventional ones, significantly reducing root growth and altering soil bacterial communities important for nitrogen fixation. This finding challenges the assumption that biodegradable plastics are always safer for the environment and raises questions about their impact on food crops.
Response of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) growth to soil contaminated with microplastics
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A pot experiment adding LDPE and biodegradable (PLA/PBAT) microplastics to soil at 0.5–2.5% by weight found no significant effects on common bean shoot or root biomass, though higher LDPE concentrations increased specific root nodules, suggesting subtle effects on nitrogen-fixing symbiosis.
Microplastics Can Alter Plant Parameters Without Affecting the Soil Enzymatic Activity in White Lupine
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Low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyamide microplastics exposed to white lupine (Lupinus albus) over 110 days altered plant growth parameters—including root morphology and chlorophyll content—without significantly affecting soil enzymatic activity. The findings suggested MPs can impair legume health through mechanisms not captured by soil enzyme assays alone.
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