We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Soil pollution and the invasion of congener Sphagneticola in crop lands
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined how agricultural pollutants, including microplastics and nanopesticides, affect competition between native and invasive Sphagneticola plant species in croplands. The study found that microplastic and nanopesticide pollution in soil may facilitate the invasion of non-native plant species by altering growth dynamics, suggesting that agricultural contamination could compound ecological disruption in farming ecosystems.
The input of agro-pollutants, such as microplastics and nanopesticides, on farmlands is widespread and may facilitate biological invasions in agroecosystems. Here, the effects of agro-pollutants that promote invasion of congener species is studied by examining the growth performance of native Sphagneticola calendulacea and its invasive congener, S. trilobata, when grown in a native only, invasive only and mixed community. Sphagneticola calendulacea naturally occurs in croplands in southern China, while S. trilobata was introduced to this region and has since naturalized, encroaching onto farmland. In our study, each plant community was subjected to the following treatments: control, microplastics only, nanopesticides only, and both microplastics and nanopesticides. The effects of the treatments on soils of each plant community were also examined. We found that aboveground, belowground, and photosynthetic traits of S. calendulacea were significantly inhibited by the combined microplastics and nanopesticides treatment in the native and mixed communities. The relative advantage index of S. trilobata was 69.90% and 74.73% higher under the microplastics only and nanopesticides only treatments respectively compared to S. calendulacea. Soil microbial biomass, enzyme activity, gas emission rates, and chemicals in each community were reduced when treated with both microplastics and nanopesticides. Yet, soil microbial biomass of carbon and nitrogen, CO emission rates and nitrous oxide rates were significantly higher (56.08%, 58.33%, 36.84% and 49.95% respectively) in the invasive species community than in the native species community under microplastics and nanopesticides. Our results suggest that the addition of agro-pollutants to soils favors the more resistant S. trilobata and suppresses the less tolerant S. calendulacea. Soil properties from the native species community are also more impacted by agro-pollutants than substrates supporting the invasive species. Future studies should explore the effects of agro-pollutants by comparing other invasive and native species and considering human activities, industry, and the soil environment.
More Papers Like This
The more synthetic polymer types pollute the soil, the stronger the growth suppression of invasive alien and native plants
AI summary Read the abstract
This soil experiment found that the more types of synthetic microplastics polluting soil, the greater the suppression of plant growth — and this effect was especially pronounced for invasive plant species. The finding suggests that microplastic pollution could alter the competitive balance between invasive and native plants in contaminated soils.
Microplastics promote the invasiveness of invasive alien species under fluctuating water regime
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that microplastic pollution in soil can enhance the invasiveness of alien plant species, particularly under fluctuating water conditions that simulate extreme rainfall events. The microplastics altered soil properties in ways that gave invasive plants a competitive advantage over native species. The study highlights a previously overlooked interaction between two major environmental threats: microplastic contamination and biological invasions.
The promoting effects of soil microplastics on alien plant invasion depend on microplastic shape and concentration
AI summary Read the abstract
A greenhouse experiment showed that soil microplastic pollution can help invasive plant species outcompete native plants. The invasive goldenrod grew better in soil contaminated with certain shapes and concentrations of polyethylene microplastics, while the native species was less affected. This suggests that microplastic pollution in soil could worsen the spread of invasive plants, with knock-on effects for ecosystems and agriculture.
Effect of microplastics on the allelopathic effects of native and invasive plants on co-occurring invaders
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that polyethylene microplastics in soil enhanced the growth of both native and invasive plant species under competitive and non-competitive conditions. The microplastics also induced negative allelopathic effects from the native plant Achyranthes on neighboring plants, mediated through changes in leaf chemistry. The study suggests that microplastic pollution could alter competitive dynamics between native and invasive species by modifying plant chemical interactions.
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.