Microplastics contamination in soil affects growth and root nodulation of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum‐graecum L.) and 16 s rRNA sequencing of rhizosphere soil

The study aimed to observe the effect of low LDPE (low-density polyethylene) microplastics (MPs) contamination of soil on the growth of the Fenugreek plant, the number of root nodulation formation, leghaemoglobin (Lb) content of nodules, and metagenomics of rhizosphere soil. This study was performed in the field area, and Fenugreek seeds were sown, MPs contaminated soils, and their effect on plant growth was observed. Analysis of microbial community in rhizosphere soil was observed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. A significant increase in the height of plants in the microplastic treated soil was observed. No detrimental effects of MPs were detected on the other physiological growth parameters of the plants, including the number of leaves, stem diameter, chlorophyll content, number of root nodules, or the leghaemoglobin content. The microbial composition in the rhizosphere soil was significantly altered in the presence of MPs. The abundance of order Rhizobiales (genus Rhizobium) was highly reduced in microplastic-treated soil. In contrast, various plastic degrading and pathogenic bacteria were selectively accumulated in soil due to the presence of MPs.