We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Phytotoxic Effects of Polyethylene Microplastics on the Growth of Food Crops Soybean (Glycine max) and Mung Bean (Vigna radiata)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested the effects of polyethylene microplastics on the germination and early growth of soybean and mung bean crops at various concentrations and particle sizes. They found that soybeans were more sensitive to microplastic exposure than mung beans, with significant inhibition of dry weight and root length at higher concentrations. The study suggests that microplastic contamination in agricultural soils could negatively affect food crop development, with impacts varying by plant species and particle characteristics.
Accumulation of micro-plastics (MPs) in the environment has resulted in various ecological and health concerns. Nowadays, however, studies are mainly focused on toxicity of MPs on aquatic organisms, but only a few studies assess the toxic effects of micro-plastics on terrestrial plants, especially edible agricultural crops. The present study was aimed to investigate the adverse effects of polyethylene (PE) microplastics on the germination of two common food crops of China, i.e., soybean (Glycine max) and mung bean (Vigna radiata). Both the crops were treated with polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) of two sizes (6.5 μm and 13 μm) with six different concentrations (0, 10, 50, 100, 200, and 500 mg/L). Parameters studied were (i) seed vigor (e.g., germination energy, germination index, vigor index, mean germination speed, germination rate); (ii) morphology (e.g., root length, shoot length) and (iii) dry weight. It was found that the phyto-toxicity of PE-MPs to soybean (Glycine max) was greater than that of mung bean (Vigna radiata). On the 3rd day, the dry weight of soybean was inhibited at different concentrations as compared to the control and the inhibition showed decline with the increase in the concentration of PE-MPs. After the 7th day, the root length of soybean was inhibited by PE-MPs of 13 μm size, and the inhibition degree was positively correlated with the concentration, whereas the root length of mung bean was increased, and the promotion degree was positively correlated with the concentration. Present study indicated the necessity to explore the hazardous effects of different sizes of PE-MPs on the growth and germination process of agricultural crops. Additionally, our results can provide theoretical basis and data support for further investigation on the toxicity of PE-MPs to soybean and mung bean.
More Papers Like This
Discrepancy of Growth Toxicity of Polystyrene Nanoplastics on Soybean (Glycine max) and Mung Bean (Vigna radiata)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared how polystyrene nanoplastics affect soybean and mung bean plants grown in water and found that both crops suffered root growth suppression, but through different biological pathways. Soybeans showed more oxidative stress at lower doses, while mung beans were more resilient and only showed significant damage at higher concentrations. The study reveals that different crop species can vary widely in their vulnerability to nanoplastic contamination.
Effects of microplastic type on growth and physiology of soil crops: Implications for farmland yield and food quality
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested how two common types of microplastics (polypropylene and polyester) affect corn, soybean, and peanut crops grown in real farm conditions. The effects varied by crop and plastic type, with polypropylene generally reducing peanut growth while polyester had milder impacts. These findings suggest that microplastic contamination in agricultural soil could affect crop yields and food quality in ways that depend on which plastics are present.
The Influence of Polystyrene and Biodegradable Microplastics on Phaseolus vulgaris L. Growth
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers grew common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in soils contaminated with polystyrene microplastics and biodegradable microplastics separately and assessed growth outcomes at two time points. Both plastic types reduced plant biomass, root length, and chlorophyll content in a dose-dependent manner, with the biodegradable variant showing comparable phytotoxicity to conventional polystyrene.
Unveiling the effect of microplastics on agricultural crops – a review
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines how microplastics affect agricultural crops, covering impacts on seed germination, root growth, photosynthesis, and overall plant health. Most studies focused on polystyrene and polyethylene under controlled lab conditions, and the effects varied widely depending on plastic type, size, and concentration. The authors stress that more field-based research is needed to understand how microplastics actually behave in real farming environments.
Effects of polyethylene microplastics on the growth of Arabidopsis thaliana & Phaseolus vulgaris and their soil
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed the plants Arabidopsis thaliana and Phaseolus vulgaris to polyethylene microplastics at different concentrations and found effects on plant growth and soil microbial communities. The study contributes to a limited but growing body of evidence on how microplastic pollution in agricultural soils may affect crop plants and soil health.
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.