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Bibliometric analysis and review of direct factors implicating the impact of nano and microplastics on crop health and development
Summary
This review uses bibliometric analysis to map the research landscape on how nano- and microplastics affect crop health and agricultural productivity. Researchers found that the impacts depend on a complex interplay of factors including particle size, chemical composition, exposure duration, and soil conditions. The evidence indicates that these plastic particles accumulate in plant tissues and can reduce germination and growth rates, posing a growing concern for food security.
Globally, agricultural lands are polluted by nanoplastics and microplastics (NPs and MPs) entering the soil through organic fertilizers to amend soil, use of treated sewage water for irrigation, and atmospheric deposition. Therefore, comprehending the impact of NPs and MPs on crops is crucial. Contemporary scientific research indicates that NPs and MPs undergo bioaccumulation within plant tissues, adversely affecting crops' physiology, biology, and genetics, significantly reducing germination and growth/productivity rates. In scientific studies, the effects of NPs and MPs on crops are studied in different experimental conditions. However, real-environment scenarios involve a complex interplay of various factors that can significantly influence the impact of NPs and MPs on crops. To better understand the factors affecting crop susceptibility to NPs and MPs, this review presents a bibliometric analysis of the secondary data using R-software coupled with Biblioshiny-App. It revealed that the MP's effects on crops are better studied than NPs. Further, various direct factors and their interplays influence the impact of NPs and MPs on crops, which are discussed in detail. The findings indicated that the impacts of NPs and MPs on crops depend on the physical and chemical properties of NPs and MPs (i.e., size, shape, and chemical composition), dose and duration of exposure of crops to NPs and MPs, the route of entry (via leaves/roots) and intoxication via mobilization, the presence of other pollutants, and the medium of growth (hydroponic media or soil). Additionally, crop-related factors, i.e., crop species, developmental stage, and the specific physiology and biology of the crop affecting the effect of NPs and MPs on crops, are discussed. In conclusion, for an accurate assessment of the impact of NPs and MPs on crops in natural environments, it is essential to consider the complex interplay of these various factors.