We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
The effect of microplastics on root growth and on mitotic cell division in onion
AI summary Read the abstract
This study investigated how microplastics affect root growth and cell division in onion (Allium cepa), a standard model organism for plant toxicology testing. The results help evaluate whether microplastic exposure in soil can impair plant growth, which is relevant to understanding agricultural risks from microplastic-contaminated soils.
Pollution of the freshwater and terrestrial environment with microplastics is a major problem. Nowadays, there is still a lack of knowledge about how microplastics affect plants. With the onion test, we wanted to determine whether the onions (Allium cepa) that grow in the microplastic suspension have a smaller number and length of the roots, as well as whether the frequency of cell division in the roots is smaller and the number of mitotic aberrations is greater than in control group onions, which were grown in distilled water. We also wanted to find out the difference in the inhibitory effect of two types of microplastic, namely, microplastics isolated from the cosmetic product and untreated microplastics, and whether the result is influenced by the age of the bulbs. For this purpose, we grew onions in two independent experiments for 24 hours and 5 days in microplastic suspensions, and after the experiment was completed, we counted and measured onion roots and prepared squeezed preparations of root tips, which were examined under a microscope. We found that the microplastic suspension in which the bulbs were grown did not cause a statistically significant reduction in the number and length of the roots and did not significantly reduce the value of the mitotic index. Chromosomal aberrations were more frequent in onions grown in microplastic suspensions, but differences in effects between different types of microplastic were not statistically significant. We also found that the age of the bulbs has a marked influence on the result. For elderly bulbs with less stagnant substances, root growth and mitotic index in control groups were worse than in younger bulbs with several stagnant substances. The older control bulbs also had a higher proportion of control in older chromosome aberrations, and consequently a higher influence of microplastic in the suspension was observed in this group. Therefore, we suggest that the same old bulbs are used in the tests.
More Papers Like This
Phytotoxic Effects of Polystyrene and Polymethyl Methacrylate Microplastics on Allium cepa Roots
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed onion roots to polystyrene and polymethyl methacrylate microplastics at various concentrations and observed toxic effects on root growth and cellular health. Both types of microplastics caused oxidative stress, DNA damage, and disrupted cell division in the root tips. The study provides evidence that common plastic particles in soil can directly harm plant root development at the cellular level.
Cytogenotoxic potential of a hazardous material, polystyrene microparticles on Allium cepa L.
AI summary Read the abstract
This study used the onion root test to assess the genotoxic effects of polystyrene microplastics on plant cells, finding that even at relatively low concentrations the particles caused oxidative stress, reduced root growth, and damaged chromosomes. The results indicate that polystyrene microplastics pose hazards to plant genetics, with implications for agricultural soil contamination.
Influence of polyethylene microplastics on Brassica rapa: Toxicity mechanism investigation
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed the fast-growing plant Brassica rapa (related to turnip and cabbage) to polyethylene microplastics that had been degraded by sunlight, finding that the plastics stunted plant growth by up to 51% and triggered cellular stress responses. Genetic analysis revealed the microplastics disrupted the plant's immune and growth pathways, providing insight into how plastic pollution in agricultural soil could affect food crops.
Time dependent release of microplastics from disposable face masks poses cyto-genotoxic risks in Allium cepa
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how disposable face masks release microplastics over time when submerged in water, then tested the effects of the resulting leachates on plant cells. They found that masks released increasing amounts of microplastics the longer they were submerged, and that the leachates caused DNA damage and disrupted cell division in onion root cells. The study highlights that discarded face masks from the pandemic era are an ongoing source of microplastic pollution with measurable biological effects.
Effects of polyethylene terephthalate microplastic on germination, biochemistry and phytotoxicity of Cicer arietinum L. and cytotoxicity study on Allium cepa L
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied the effects of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics on chickpea germination and onion root tip cells at concentrations ranging from 50 to 1,000 mg/L. The study found a sharp decrease in germination rates along with biochemical changes and cytotoxic effects at higher microplastic concentrations. Evidence indicates that PET microplastics in soil can negatively affect both plant development and cellular processes.
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.