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Zinc ions enhance tolerance to nanoplastics stress in rice seedlings: Advancing the development and optimization of traditional zinc fertilizers
Summary
Researchers tested whether traditional zinc sulfate fertilizer could help rice seedlings tolerate polystyrene microplastic stress, as an alternative to zinc oxide nanoparticles which carry their own environmental risks. They found that appropriate zinc levels reduced oxidative damage through different mechanisms in shoots versus roots, restoring photosynthesis and development. The findings offer a practical, lower-risk strategy for protecting crops from microplastic contamination in agricultural soils.
Microplastic pollution threatens sustainable agriculture. Zinc (Zn), an essential micronutrient, plays a key role in crop growth and stress responses. While zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) mitigate microplastic toxicity in rice, their long-term use poses environmental risks. Zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄) is a traditional Zn fertilizer, but its interaction with microplastics remains unclear. This study treated rice seedlings with polystyrene (PS) microplastics and ZnSO₄ to assess their effects on growth, Zn uptake, and stress response mechanisms. PS exposure inhibited growth, impaired photosynthesis, reduced stomatal conductance, and induced ROS accumulation, causing oxidative stress that damaged cells and disrupted metabolism, while activating antioxidant enzymes. It also reduced Zn content and altered metabolite accumulation, affecting growth regulation. Appropriate Zn levels alleviated PS toxicity via distinct mechanisms: in shoots, Zn optimized nitrogen metabolism to restore photosynthesis, while in roots, it regulated carbon metabolism to reduce ROS and enhance development. The findings indicate that zinc enhances rice tolerance to microplastic stress by revealing organspecific mechanisms through which traditional zinc fertilizers exert their alleviating effects, providing both mechanistic insight and scientific evidence to optimize their application. This study also offers a viable alternative to reduce the environmental risks associated with ZnO nanoparticles, thereby promoting greener and more sustainable agricultural development.
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