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Responses of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) growth and soil properties to conventional non-biodegradable and new biodegradable microplastics
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Scientists compared the effects of biodegradable and conventional polyethylene microplastics on lettuce growth and soil health. Both types of microplastics reduced plant growth, damaged photosynthesis, and altered soil nutrient levels, but biodegradable PBAT microplastics actually caused more disruption to soil microbial communities. The findings challenge the assumption that biodegradable plastics are necessarily safer for agricultural ecosystems.
Residual plastic films in soils are posing a potential threat to agricultural ecosystem. However, little is known about the impacts of microplastics (MPs) derived from biodegradable and non-biodegradable plastic films on plant-soil systems. Here, we carried out a pot experiment using soil-cultivated lettuce treated by two types of MPs, degradable poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT-MPs) and non-biodegradable polyethylene (PE-MPs). MPs resulted in different degrees of reduction in shoot biomass, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic parameters, and leaf contents of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), accelerated accumulation of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide, and increased malondialdehyde content in lettuce leaves. Moreover, MPs obviously decreased contents of total N, nitrate, ammonium, and available K in soils, and increased available P, thus altering soil nutrient availability. MPs also significantly decreased proportions of macroaggregates, and decreased soil electrical conductivity and microbial activity. PBAT-MPs had significantly greater impacts on oxidative damage, photosynthetic rate, soil aggregation, microbial activity, and soil ammonium than those of PE-MPs. Our results suggested that MPs caused oxidative damages, nutrient uptake inhibition, soil properties alteration, ultimately leading to growth reduction, and PBAT-MPs exhibited stronger impacts. Therefore, it is urgent to further study the ecological effects of MPs, especially biodegradable MPs, on soil-plant systems.
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Effects of Biodegradable Microplastics on Soil and Lettuce Health: Rhizosphere Microbiome and Metabolome Responses
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Researchers tested how two common biodegradable microplastics affect lettuce growth and the microbial communities around its roots. At higher concentrations, both types of biodegradable plastics inhibited lettuce growth and significantly disrupted the balance of beneficial soil microbes and plant metabolic processes. The findings suggest that even plastics marketed as biodegradable can negatively impact soil health and crop development when present in sufficient quantities.
Bio-effects of bio-based and fossil-based microplastics: Case study with lettuce-soil system
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Researchers compared the effects of bio-based (PEF) and fossil-based (PET) microplastics on lettuce growth and soil microbial communities over 21 days at multiple concentrations. They found that both types inhibited lettuce growth by reducing chlorophyll content and root development, and both altered soil bacterial community composition. The study suggests that bio-based plastics are not necessarily safer for soil ecosystems than conventional plastics when they fragment into microplastics.
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Dosages of Biodegradable Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) Microplastics Affect Soil Microbial Community, Function, and Metabolome in Plant–Soil System
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Researchers examined how different concentrations of biodegradable PBAT microplastics affect soil microbial communities and lettuce growth. They found that while low concentrations had minimal impact, higher doses significantly altered soil microbial diversity, metabolic functions, and the chemical profile of the soil. The findings suggest that even biodegradable plastic mulch residues can disrupt soil ecosystems when they accumulate at higher levels.
Biodegradable PBAT microplastics adversely affect pakchoi (Brassica chinensis L.) growth and the rhizosphere ecology: Focusing on rhizosphere microbial community composition, element metabolic potential, and root exudates
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Researchers compared biodegradable PBAT plastic microplastics with conventional polyethylene microplastics in soil and found that the biodegradable version actually caused more harm to plant growth and soil health. PBAT microplastics reduced nutrient availability, disrupted the soil microbial community, and altered root chemistry more than conventional plastic. This finding challenges the assumption that biodegradable plastics are always safer for the environment.
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