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Effect of microplastics and nanoplastics on cereal crops
Summary
This review summarized how microplastics and nanoplastics in soil affect cereal crops including wheat, rice, and maize, finding that even small amounts can inhibit seed germination, reduce root growth, and impair nutrient uptake. Microplastic contamination of agricultural soils poses a direct threat to global food security.
Plastic is a type of organic compound of synthetic or semi-synthetic material. From the last two decants the use and application of plastic were increasing rapidly. Plastic when accumulated in the terrestrial environment they further breakdown into micro and nano plastics. Both micro and nano plastics are more hazardous. Microplastics are further classified as polypropylene, polyethene, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate etc. A trace amount of microplastic has a serious impact on the ecosystem while they are released into the environment. In several countries, cereal crop and cereal products are the major staple food, which contains carbohydrate, sucrose, sodium. It also contains dietary nutrients like protein, iron, phosphorus, copper, fibre, riboflavin, vitamins B6 and E. Exposure to micro and nanoplastics are reported to have a significant impact on both germinations as well as root growth of the cereals crops. This review article mainly discusses the toxic effect of micro and nano plastics in three major cereal crops, paddy, wheat and maize on its growth and production. Understanding the impact of micro and nano plastic on the cereal crops can help the stakeholders to prevent the damage that could affect the food for humans in the uncertain future.