Effects of Microplastics on Pea Germination and Seedling Growth

Impact of Microplastics on Plant Growth

Impact of polypropylene microplastics and lead on wheat germination and seedling growth

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Scientists found that tiny plastic particles (microplastics) and lead, alone or together, can stunt wheat seedling growth and stress the plants, and surprisingly, bigger plastic pieces caused more harm than smaller ones. Since wheat is a staple crop worldwide, this research raises questions about whether soil pollution from plastics and heavy metals could affect crop yields and the food we eat, though more research is needed to know exactly how this translates to human health.

Evidence of Soil Microplastics Inhibiting the Germination of Commercial Coriander Seeds Under Field Conditions

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Field and greenhouse experiments showed that virgin polypropylene, PVC, and polylactic acid microplastics at concentrations as low as 0.05% w/w inhibited coriander seed germination by 60–100% within the first seven days, with PVC causing the greatest inhibition and all polymers inducing oxidative stress in root tips. These results indicate that even unaged microplastics pose direct phytotoxic risks in agricultural soils, threatening crop yields and food security independent of chemical additive leaching.

Exploring the Impacts of HDPE Microplastics on Growth and Physiological Behavior of Brassica juncea (Mustard Plant)

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Researchers demonstrated that HDPE microplastics reduce chlorophyll, phenolic, and proline content in mustard plants (Brassica juncea) and showed — for the first time — that microplastics translocate from roots to leaves via fluorescence and confocal microscopy. This evidence of root-to-shoot microplastic transfer in a food crop raises direct concerns about human dietary exposure through consuming contaminated vegetables grown in plastically polluted agricultural soils.

Impact of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Plant Health and Development

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Researchers review the emerging evidence on how microplastics accumulate in agricultural soils and affect plant health and development, highlighting that while aquatic impacts are well documented, the effects on terrestrial food crops and soil-plant systems remain poorly understood.