We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Can Inhibit the Allocation of Microplastics from Crop Roots to Aboveground Edible Parts
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists discovered that beneficial soil fungi called arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can reduce the amount of microplastics that travel from plant roots into the edible parts of lettuce. Plants grown with these fungi transported significantly fewer plastic particles to their leaves compared to plants without them. The findings suggest that natural fungal partnerships in soil could serve as a biological barrier helping protect food crops from microplastic contamination.
Microplastics are emerging pollutants that threaten soil health and food safety. Recently, there has been increasing interest in understanding the behavior of these particles in the rhizosphere, specifically regarding the potential uptake of microplastics into crops. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are widespread soil fungi, forming symbiotic associations with most terrestrial plants. Therefore, it is essential to investigate if AM fungi could protect crops from microplastics in soil. Here, we grew vegetables (Lactuca sativa) inoculated with/without the AM fungus Rhizophagus irregularis at various levels of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) soil pollution (0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4%, mass ratio of the pollutant to soil). Our findings revealed that the proportion of transport of PMMA from roots to shoots decreased significantly in mycorrhizal crops. This reduction occurred because some PMMA particles were immobilized by AM vesicles and intraradical fungal hyphae. However, AM symbiosis did not substantially reduce the uptake of microplastics by crops from soil. Mycorrhizal fungi might enhance the resistance of crops to microplastics through transforming the chemical properties of microplastics, reducing their complexation to crop components, and promoting crop phosphorus nutrition at high microplastic addition levels. Our study is the first report to achieve rapid quantification of microplastics in mycorrhizal crops using microscale combustion calorimetry, demonstrating that AM fungi have the ability to immobilize microplastics. The study allows a deeper insight into microplastic behavior in AM-associated crops and supports the potential application of AM fungi in crop cultivation under microplastic contamination.
More Papers Like This
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi change toxic effects of different types of microplastics on Lactuca sativa L. by influencing plant metabolic processes
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined how beneficial soil fungi called arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi influence the toxic effects of different microplastics on lettuce. The study found that these fungi reduced the uptake and toxicity of PET microplastics but actually promoted the absorption of polypropylene and polystyrene, indicating that the interaction between soil microorganisms and microplastics depends strongly on polymer type.
What Is the Role of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Mitigating the Effects of Microplastics?
AI summary Read the abstract
This review summarizes 29 studies on soil fungi called arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), which form partnerships with plant roots. Most studies found AMF helped plants cope with microplastic pollution in soil by improving growth, nutrient uptake, and soil structure, though the authors note more research is needed on long-term effects.
Migration and accumulation of microplastics in soil-plant systems mediated by symbiotic microorganisms and their ecological effects
AI summary Read the abstract
This study found that beneficial soil fungi (mycorrhizal fungi) actually accelerate the uptake of smaller microplastics by plant roots while slowing the uptake of larger ones. The microplastics disrupted the symbiotic relationship between the fungi and plants, reducing plant nutrient absorption and growth, which matters because crops grown in microplastic-contaminated soil may be less nutritious.
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus Alleviates Charged Nanoplastic Stress in Host Plants via Enhanced Defense-Related Gene Expressions and Hyphal Capture
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers discovered that a beneficial root fungus helped lettuce plants cope with nanoplastic stress, boosting shoot growth by 25 to 100 percent compared to unprotected plants. The fungus captured nanoplastics on its thread-like structures and activated defense genes in the plant. The study suggests that naturally occurring soil fungi could play a role in reducing the harmful effects of nanoplastics on crops.
Potential Effects of Microplastic on Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines how microplastics in soil affect arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, finding evidence that microplastics can alter fungal colonization of plant roots, spore production, and the broader soil microbiome, with cascading effects on plant nutrient uptake.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.