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Interactions of microplastics and cadmium on plant growth and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities in an agricultural soil
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Researchers studied how polyethylene and polylactic acid microplastics interact with cadmium contamination to affect maize growth and beneficial soil fungi in agricultural soil. While polyethylene showed minimal direct plant toxicity, high doses of polylactic acid significantly reduced maize biomass, and both plastic types altered the communities of root-associated fungi. The study suggests that co-contamination of microplastics and heavy metals in farmland can jointly disrupt plant health and soil ecosystems.
Microplastics (MPs) as emerging contaminants have attracted attention worldwide, but little is known on their interactions with metallic contaminants in soil-plant systems. Here, we investigated the interactions between MPs, i.e., polyethylene (PE) and polylactic acid (PLA), and cadmium (Cd) on plant performance and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community in an agricultural soil. PE showed no noticeable phytotoxicity, while 10% PLA decreased maize biomass and chlorophyll content in leaves. A significant interaction on root biomass occurred between PE and Cd, but not between PLA and Cd. Both PE and PLA caused increase in soil pH and DTPA-extractable Cd concentrations, but no alterations in Cd accumulation in plant tissues. Different numbers of endemic and total OTUs were observed in various treatments. The relative abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) genera highly varied with MPs and Cd. MPs altered AMF community structure and diversity, depending on their type and dose. Coexisting Cd produced slight but significant interactions with MPs on the dominant AMF genera. Overall, plant growth and AMF community varied with MPs type and dose, Cd, and their interactions, and the high dose of PLA produced stronger phytotoxicity. In conclusion, coexisting MPs and Cd can jointly drive shifts in plant performance and root symbiosis, thereby posing additional risks for agroecosystems and soil biodiversity.
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Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi enhance maize cadmium resistance and reduce translocation: Dependence on microplastics concentration
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Researchers investigated how beneficial soil fungi called arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can help maize plants resist cadmium toxicity in soils contaminated with both microplastics and heavy metals. They found that high concentrations of polyethylene microplastics worsened cadmium toxicity, but inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi significantly improved plant growth, nutrient uptake, and photosynthesis. The study suggests that these fungi could serve as a biological tool for managing crop health in soils with combined microplastic and heavy metal contamination.
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Researchers studied the combined effects of polyethylene microplastics and cadmium on soil properties and maize growth through pot experiments. They found that microplastics altered soil nutrient availability and, depending on size and concentration, either increased or decreased cadmium uptake by the plants. The study suggests that microplastic contamination in agricultural soils can change how crops absorb toxic heavy metals, with potential implications for food safety.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi enhance cadmium resistance and reduce translocation in maize: dependence on microplastics concentration
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Researchers found that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi significantly enhanced cadmium tolerance in maize grown in soils co-contaminated with microplastics and heavy metals, though the protective effect was concentration-dependent — diminishing at higher microplastic loads that altered fungal colonization and root architecture.
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Researchers studied how three types of microplastics interact with cadmium contamination in rice paddies, examining effects on plant growth, metal uptake, and soil fungal communities. They found that while microplastics generally increased cadmium availability in soil, they actually decreased cadmium accumulation in rice tissues. Notably, biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics caused more harm to plant growth and soil communities than conventional plastic types, challenging the assumption that biodegradable plastics are always safer.
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