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Microplastics in the agroecosystem: effects of plastic mulch film residues on the soil-plant system
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This PhD thesis assessed the effects of macro- and micro-sized plastic residues from both polyethylene and biodegradable mulch films on soil and plant systems. Researchers found that plastic residues affected plant growth, rhizosphere microbial communities, soil physical properties, and soil functions. The thesis provides comprehensive experimental evidence for the ecological impacts of mulch film plastic pollution on agricultural soils.
Due to the widely use of plastic mulch in agriculture, plastic residues in the soil are threatening soil quality. In this thesis, we assessed the effects of macro and micro sized plastic residues from polyethylene and biodegradable plastic mulch films on the soil-plant system, by investigating their effects on plant growth, rhizosphere microflora, soil physicochemical properties and soil functions.Overall, this thesis provided experimental evidence that plastic mulch film residues affected physical, chemical and biological processes in the soil-plant system. Despite the lack of knowledge, it is clear with the incipient evidence that both macroplastics and microplastics derived from LDPE and biodegradable plastic mulch films could be detrimental to agricultural productivity, soil biodiversity and soil biogeochemical cycles. Moreover, the insights developed during this PhD research are a valuable contribution to a framework for the systematic analysis of the effects of microplastics on the soil-plant system and a holistic approach to study interrelated physical, chemical and biological processes in the agroecosystem.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics in agroecosystem – effects of plastic mulch film residues on soil-plant system
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This review examines how residues from both conventional polyethylene and biodegradable plastic mulch films accumulate in agricultural soils and affect plant growth and soil health. Both types of mulch film residues are found to have negative effects on the soil-plant system, raising questions about the environmental safety of biodegradable plastic alternatives.
From plastic mulching to microplastic pollution : An effect assessment of microplastics in the soil-plant system
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This review assessed how plastic mulching films contribute to agricultural microplastic pollution, finding that biodegradable alternatives rarely fully degrade under field conditions and instead fragment into microplastics, with both LDPE and biodegradable microplastics producing measurable ecological effects in soil-plant systems.
Integrated effects of residual plastic films on soil-rhizosphere microbe-plant ecosystem.
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This pot experiment investigated how residual plastic film fragments of different sizes in agricultural soil affect soil properties, microbial enzyme activity, nutrient levels, and plant growth. Larger plastic residues caused greater disruption to soil health and reduced crop yield, suggesting that accumulated mulch film pollution poses a serious threat to long-term agricultural productivity.
Macro- and micro- plastics in soil-plant system: Effects of plastic mulch film residues on wheat (Triticum aestivum) growth
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Researchers studied how plastic mulch film residues, both conventional polyethylene and biodegradable types, affect wheat growth when mixed into soil. They found that both macro- and micro-sized plastic residues negatively impacted plant growth above and below ground, with effects varying depending on the plastic type and the presence of earthworms. The study highlights that agricultural plastic residues left in soil can meaningfully affect crop development and soil ecosystem health.
Plastic Mulch‐Derived Microplastics in Agricultural Soil Systems
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This review examines how plastic mulch films widely used in agriculture degrade via photodegradation, chemical processes, and microbial activity to form microplastics, and discusses how these microplastics affect soil properties, plant growth, soil microbiomes, and broader agricultural ecosystem health.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.