Impact of microplastic particle size on physiological and biochemical properties and rhizosphere metabolism of Zea mays L.: Comparison in different soil types

The effect of microplastics (MPs) on plant growth has received increasing attention. However, whether soil texture and MPs size influence the toxicological effects of MPs on plants is unknown. To address this knowledge gap, two soils with different physical structures (lime concretion black and silty loam soils) were selected to explore the potential toxicity of MPs of different particle sizes to maize growth. The results showed that, in both soils, the harm caused by small MPs on maize growth was greater than that caused by large MPs. Low MPs concentrations had no significant effect on maize growth between two soil types; however, when exposed to a concentration of 1 % large MPs, the dry biomass of maize was promoted in lime concretion black soil but inhibited in silty loam soil. All MPs-exposed treatments resulted in a high level of superoxide anions in maize roots, resulting in an increase in the root aerenchyma area and reducing the metabolic activity of maize roots. Metabolomics showed that MPs exposure affected multiple amino acid metabolic pathways, including phenylalanine and tyrosine metabolism, and inhibited lignin biosynthesis in roots. This study provides a theoretical basis for a more comprehensive assessment of the effect of MPs pollution on agricultural production.