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Polylactic acid microplastics have stronger positive effects on the qualitative traits of rice (Oryza sativa L.) than polyethylene microplastics: Evidence from a simulated field experiment
Summary
Researchers found that both polyethylene and biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics in soil affected the quality of rice grains by changing their mineral content, fatty acid profiles, and amino acid levels. Interestingly, PLA microplastics had some positive effects on grain yield and weight, while PE microplastics more significantly disrupted the nutritional composition. This study shows that microplastic contamination in farm soil can alter the nutritional quality of rice, a staple food for billions of people, even when the plants appear to grow well.
Soil pollution by microplastics (MPs) from different types of agricultural films has received substantial attention due to its potential effects on crop quality. To date, the effects of different types of MPs on rice grain quality and their underlying molecular mechanisms have not been clarified. In this study, we examined the effects of polyethylene MPs (PE-MPs) and biodegradable polylactic acid MPs (PLA-MPs) on rice grain quality at the environmental level (0.5 %) and evaluated the molecular mechanism through transcriptome analysis. PE- and PLA-MPs increased the number of rice grains per plant by 19.83 % and 24.66 %, respectively, and decreased the rice empty-shell rate by 55.89 % and 26.53 %, respectively. However, PLA-MPs increased the 1000-seed weight by 11.37 %, whereas PE-MPs had no obvious impact in this respect. Furthermore, MP exposure, especially that of PE-MPs, affected the content of mineral elements, fatty acids, and amino acids of rice grains by disturbing the expression of genes related to these functions and metabolism. Our findings provide insights into the response of rice grains to the stress caused by different MPs.
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