Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Sign in to save

Biochar counteracts the negative effects of microplastics on physiological and biochemical characteristics and leaf metabolism in Zea mays L

Journal of Hazardous Materials 2025 9 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 53 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Shuwen Zhao, Xiaohong Chen, Shuwen Zhao, Shuwen Zhao, Shuwen Zhao, Shuwen Zhao, Xiaohong Chen, Shuwen Zhao, Xiaohong Chen, Shuwen Zhao, Qianru Zhang, Xiaohong Chen, Qianru Zhang, Qianru Zhang, Qianru Zhang, Qianru Zhang, Qianru Zhang, Kadambot H. M. Siddique Qianru Zhang, Qianru Zhang, Xiaohong Chen, Xiaohong Chen, Xiaohong Chen, Qilan Huang, Kadambot H. M. Siddique Qilan Huang, Qianru Zhang, Qianru Zhang, Hongna Li, Xiaohong Chen, Qilan Huang, Qilan Huang, Xiaohong Chen, Xiaohong Chen, Qilan Huang, Qilan Huang, Qilan Huang, Hongna Li, Hongna Li, Hongna Li, Hongna Li, Kadambot H. M. Siddique Kadambot H. M. Siddique Xiaohong Chen, Kadambot H. M. Siddique Xiaohong Chen, Xiaohong Chen, Kadambot H. M. Siddique Kadambot H. M. Siddique Kadambot H. M. Siddique Kadambot H. M. Siddique Kadambot H. M. Siddique Kadambot H. M. Siddique Kadambot H. M. Siddique Kadambot H. M. Siddique Qianru Zhang, Xiaohong Chen, Xiaohong Chen, Xiaohong Chen, Kadambot H. M. Siddique Kadambot H. M. Siddique Kadambot H. M. Siddique Kadambot H. M. Siddique Xiaohong Chen, Kadambot H. M. Siddique

Summary

Researchers studied whether biochar could counteract the harmful effects of microplastics on maize plant growth and soil health. They found that adding biochar to microplastic-contaminated soil restored antioxidant enzyme balance, improved beneficial metabolic pathways in leaves, and increased bacterial community diversity. The study suggests biochar may help plants resist microplastic-induced stress by boosting glucose metabolism in root systems.

Polymers

PET PLA

The influence of microplastics (MPs) on plant development has attracted increased attention; however, whether biochar (BC) impacts the toxicological impacts of MPs on plants remains unclear. Exogenously added MPs and mulched 10-year soils were selected to study the possible combined effects of BC and various MPs on maize development to fill this knowledge gap. Maize leaves subjected to various MP treatments showed significant levels of antioxidant enzyme activities, and adding BC counteracts this negative effect. Compared with PET and PLA treatments, CAT activity increased by 137.5 % and 47.6 % in PET+BC and PLA+BC treatments, respectively. The metabolomics analysis showed that adding BC upregulated lipid-related metabolites and amino acid metabolism and enhanced plant growth and response to adversity. The addition of BC to MP-contaminated soil restored bacterial community diversity, which was beneficial in improving the stability of MP-contaminated soil. In the PET and PLA treatment groups, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria increased by 12.9 % and 44.1 %, respectively, through the addition of biochar. Biological pathway studies suggested that BC may help plants resist energy deficits induced by MP-induced stress by increasing glucose metabolism in root systems. This research study establishes a conceptual framework allowing for a more thorough assessment of the impacts of MPs and BC on agricultural productivity. SYNOPSIS: This work initially revealed that biochar may offset the harmful impacts of microplastics on plants through multiple dimensions.

Read via DOI PubMed

Share this paper

Post Share Share Pin Email