Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Sowing in plastic contaminated soils

Researchers evaluated the effects of low-density polyethylene microplastics on seed germination, root development, and shoot growth of white mustard (Sinapis alba) under laboratory and pot experiment conditions at concentrations of 0.01%-5% w/w over 7-10 days. Results showed no statistically significant effects of LDPE microplastics on germination rate or speed, contributing to understanding of plant responses in microplastic-contaminated soils.

2025 Repository of the University of Ljubljana (University of Ljubljana)
Article Tier 2

The effects of polyester microfibres on the development and seed yield of white mustard (Sinapis alba L.)

Researchers investigated how polyester microfibres, a prevalent type of microplastic in agricultural soils, affect the growth and seed yield of white mustard plants. They found that microfibre contamination altered plant development in ways that could have implications for crop productivity. The study highlights the importance of understanding how microplastic accumulation in farmland may affect the economic yield of food crops.

2024 Frontiers in Environmental Science 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Effects of Microplastic Particles and Microplastic Leachate on the Germination and Growth of Lolium multiflorum

Researchers tested whether polypropylene microplastic particles and the chemicals they leach affect Italian ryegrass germination and growth. Both physical microplastic particles and their leachate reduced germination rates and seedling growth, suggesting that both the particles themselves and their chemical additives can harm terrestrial plants.

2020 Työväentutkimus Vuosikirja
Article Tier 2

Lettuce seed germination in the presence of microplastic contamination

This study examined the effects of microplastic contamination on lettuce seed germination, finding that microplastics in soil altered physiological processes such as water retention and chlorophyll production, with implications for food safety and agricultural ecosystems.

2024 Journal of Emerging Investigators
Article Tier 2

Recent advances on microplastics/nanoplastics interaction with plant species: A concise review

This review synthesizes research on how microplastics and nanoplastics interact with plants, finding that plastic particles in soil can interfere with root uptake, germination, and crop yields depending on the type and concentration of plastic present. The findings are particularly relevant to human health because food crops grown in microplastic-contaminated agricultural soils may absorb or accumulate plastic particles, creating a direct dietary exposure route.

2023 Malaysian Journal of Chemical Engineering and Technology
Article Tier 2

Microplastics on the growth of plants and seed germination in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems

This review examined the effects of microplastics on plant growth and seed germination in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, finding that microplastic presence can affect plant development through multiple mechanisms depending on polymer type, concentration, and the composition of the growing medium.

2021 SHILAP Revista de lepidopterología 42 citations
Article Tier 2

Effect of Microplastics on the Germination and Growth of Terrestrial Plants

This review summarized studies on the effects of microplastics on the germination and growth of terrestrial plants, finding generally negative effects at high concentrations including reduced germination rates and root length. Effects varied by plant species, polymer type, and particle size, and the review highlighted limited data from realistic field exposures.

2022 Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Lolium multiflorum germination and growth affected by virgin, naturally, and artificially aged high-density polyethylene microplastic and leachates

Researchers found that virgin, naturally aged, and artificially aged high-density polyethylene microplastics and their leachates negatively affected Lolium multiflorum germination and growth, with aged microplastics and their chemical leachates showing greater phytotoxicity than virgin particles.

2022 Frontiers in Environmental Science 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Effects of Microplastics on Germination and Seedlings Growth of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Researchers tested the effects of different microplastics on wheat seed germination and seedling growth and found that all treatments reduced plant development compared to controls. Polythene-containing microplastic treatments had the most negative impact, with significant reductions in both shoot and root length across wheat varieties.

2026 Journal of Bio-Science
Article Tier 2

Investigating the Impact of Microplastics Type of Polyethylene, Polypropylene, and Polystyrene on Seed Germination and Early Growth of Rice Plants

Researchers investigated how three common types of microplastics, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene, affect rice seed germination and early seedling growth. They found that microplastic exposure altered root development and shoot growth, with the effects varying by polymer type. The study raises concerns about how microplastic-contaminated agricultural soils could affect staple crop establishment and food production.

2024 Environmental Quality Management 15 citations
Article Tier 2

Effect of polyethylene microplastics on seed germination of Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) and Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Researchers tested how polyethylene microplastics affect seed germination in blackgram and tomato plants, finding that higher concentrations temporarily slowed germination and root growth in blackgram within the first 24 hours, but plants largely recovered by 48–72 hours. The effects were dose-, species-, and time-dependent, suggesting microplastics can cause short-term harm to crops but may not cause permanent damage at these concentrations.

2023 Environmental Advances 55 citations
Article Tier 2

The Effect of Microplastics with Different Types, Particle Sizes, and Concentrations on the Germination of Non-Heading Chinese Cabbage Seed

Five microplastic types were tested on non-heading Chinese cabbage seed germination, finding PVC and PET had the greatest inhibitory effects on germination, while PVC and PP promoted growth of germinated seeds at certain concentrations.

2024 Agriculture 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Physiological analysis and transcriptome profiling reveals the impact of microplastic on melon (Cucumis melo L.) seed germination and seedling growth

Researchers examined how polyvinyl chloride microplastics affect melon seed germination and seedling development. They found that low to medium concentrations of microplastics significantly reduced germination rates and stunted young root growth, while also disrupting gene expression related to plant stress responses. The study provides early evidence that microplastic contamination in agricultural soils may impair the growth of economically important crop plants.

2023 Journal of Plant Physiology 21 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Effects of nano- & microplastics on terrestrial plants are ubiquitous and widespread: a systematic review

This systematic review finds that nano- and microplastics have widespread negative effects on plants, including reduced germination, stunted growth, and biochemical stress responses. Since plants form the base of our food supply, these findings suggest that microplastic contamination in agricultural soils could affect crop health and potentially the quality of food we eat.

2023 CNR ExploRA
Article Tier 2

Microplastic exposure reduces seed germination in a coastal plant

Researchers tested how microplastic exposure affects seed germination in a coastal dune plant using environmentally realistic, weathered microplastic particles. They found that microplastics significantly reduced germination rates compared to controls. The study highlights that wild plants in coastal habitats, which are among the most plastic-polluted environments on land, may face real reproductive challenges from microplastic contamination.

2025 The Science of The Total Environment 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Effects of polyethylene terephthalate microplastic on germination, biochemistry and phytotoxicity of Cicer arietinum L. and cytotoxicity study on Allium cepa L

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.

2022 Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology 67 citations
Article Tier 2

Environmental risk substances in soil on seed germination: Chemical species, inhibition performance, and mechanisms

This review summarizes how various soil pollutants including microplastics, heavy metals, and petroleum chemicals inhibit crop seed germination and early growth. Microplastics can physically block water absorption by seeds and release toxic additives that impair root development. The findings are relevant to food security because microplastic contamination of agricultural soil could reduce crop yields and affect the food supply.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 14 citations
Article Tier 2

[Effects of Low-density Polyethylene Microplastics on the Growth and Physiology Characteristics of Ipomoea aquatica Forsk].

Researchers grew water spinach in soil spiked with low-density polyethylene microplastics at varying concentrations and found that even moderate doses reduced germination rates, stunted growth, and disrupted photosynthesis. The study suggests that microplastic contamination in agricultural soil could threaten food crop yields and quality.

2023 PubMed 2 citations
Review Tier 2

Effects of Microplastics on Higher Plants: A Review

This review examines how microplastics affect higher plants, covering impacts on seed germination, root growth, photosynthesis, and nutrient uptake, while highlighting the role of plastic type, size, and concentration in determining phytotoxicity.

2022 Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 136 citations
Clinical Trial Tier 1

Effect of High-Density Polyethylene, Polyvinyl Chloride and Low-Density Polyethylene Microplastics on Seeding of Paddy

This study tested how three common types of plastic microparticles affect rice seedling growth, finding that they can interfere with early plant development. The results matter for food safety because rice is a staple crop for billions of people, and microplastic contamination in agricultural soil could affect crop yields and potentially introduce plastic particles into the food supply.

2024 Sarhad Journal of Agriculture 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Phytotoxicity of polystyrene, polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.)

Researchers tested the effects of polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene microplastics on tomato plant growth using hydroponic experiments at various concentrations. The study found that all three types of microplastics negatively affected seed germination, root growth, and plant development, with effects varying by plastic type and concentration. These findings suggest that microplastic contamination in agricultural settings could interfere with crop growth and food production.

2022 Journal of Environmental Management 195 citations
Article Tier 2

Influence of polyethylene microplastics on Brassica rapa: Toxicity mechanism investigation

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.

2024 Emerging contaminants 5 citations
Article Tier 2

A critical review of microplastics in the soil-plant system: Distribution, uptake, phytotoxicity and prevention

This review brings together data from over 1,000 sampling sites worldwide to map microplastic contamination in soil and its effects on plants. Microplastics can delay seed germination, stunt plant growth, inhibit photosynthesis, and cause genetic damage to crops. The findings raise concerns about food safety because microplastics in agricultural soil could both reduce crop yields and introduce contaminants into the food chain.

2021 Journal of Hazardous Materials 281 citations
Clinical Trial Tier 1

Effects of microplastics polluted soil on the growth of Solanum lycopersicum L.

This study tested how microplastic-contaminated soil affects tomato plant growth, finding that higher concentrations of plastic particles in soil reduced plant height, root development, and overall crop health. The results suggest that microplastic pollution in farmland could reduce food crop yields and potentially affect the quality of the produce we eat.

2024 ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH 8 citations