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Three typical microplastics affect the germination and growth of amaranth (Amaranthus mangostanus L.) seedlings
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Researchers exposed amaranth seeds to three types of microplastics -- polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene -- and found that the effects on germination and growth varied by plastic type, concentration, and particle size. Polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics inhibited shoot growth, while polypropylene caused the most root damage through reactive oxygen species accumulation. The study provides evidence that microplastic contamination in agricultural soils may pose risks to crop development.
Microplastics (MPs) have been a global emerging contaminant and have aroused wide public concern. Currently, it is still unknown the phytotoxicity effect of MPs on amaranth (Amaranthus mangostanus L.). This study investigated the early responses of amaranth by exposing its seeds to suspensions of polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP) MPs. We observed the effects of MPs on seed germination and growth of amaranth, especially on the oxidative damage in amaranth roots. Impacts of MPs on the germination and growth of amaranth varied with the type, concentration, and particle size of MPs. PE MPs and PP MPs inhibited the shoot extension of amaranth, while the root length under PP MPs treatment was generally shorter than that under PS MPs and PE MPs. The accumulation of HO in amaranth roots increased with the rising of MPs concentration. Compared with the control, a little number of dead cells were found in the roots of amaranth under high MPs treatment. It is noteworthy that only under 100 mg/L PP treatment, the amaranthus seedlings root cells were disorganized, due to the reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage in the roots. These findings provide essential information to assess the phytotoxicity of MPs in agricultural products, and provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of the observed phytotoxicity.
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