Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Microplastics in agricultural soil: Polystyrene fragments inhibit soil microbial and enzymatic activities but promote nutrient concentration of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)

This study examined how polystyrene microplastic fragments in agricultural soil affect both soil health and cowpea plant growth. Researchers found that while microplastics significantly reduced beneficial soil microbial activity and enzyme function, the cowpea plants surprisingly showed increased nutrient concentrations. The findings highlight the complex and sometimes contradictory ways microplastics can influence agricultural ecosystems.

2023 Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances 33 citations
Article Tier 2

Phytotoxic Effects of Polyethylene Microplastics on the Growth of Food Crops Soybean (Glycine max) and Mung Bean (Vigna radiata)

Researchers tested the effects of polyethylene microplastics on the germination and early growth of soybean and mung bean crops at various concentrations and particle sizes. They found that soybeans were more sensitive to microplastic exposure than mung beans, with significant inhibition of dry weight and root length at higher concentrations. The study suggests that microplastic contamination in agricultural soils could negatively affect food crop development, with impacts varying by plant species and particle characteristics.

2021 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 66 citations
Article Tier 2

Dose-dependent toxicity of polyethylene microplastics (PE–MPs) on physiological and biochemical response of blackgram and its associated rhizospheric soil properties

Researchers tested different concentrations of polyethylene microplastics on blackgram plants and their surrounding soil. They found that higher microplastic levels significantly reduced plant growth, photosynthesis, and yield while also altering soil properties and microbial activity. The study demonstrates a dose-dependent relationship, with the most severe impacts occurring at the highest microplastic concentrations.

2023 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 24 citations
Article Tier 2

Toxicity of polyvinyl chloride microplastics on Brassica rapa

Researchers exposed Brassica rapa plants to UV-weathered PVC microplastics and found significant growth inhibition, with stem length reduced by nearly 46% and root length by 35% after 30 days. The microplastic particles blocked leaf stomata and were observed entering the plant tissue, triggering stress responses including increased enzyme activity. The study suggests that microplastics in soil can physically and chemically interfere with normal plant development.

2023 Environmental Pollution 24 citations
Article Tier 2

The effects of diverse microplastics on adzuki bean (Vigna angularis) growth and physiologic properties

Researchers tested the effects of three types of microplastics at different concentrations on adzuki bean growth and found that all types caused some damage, with biodegradable polylactic acid having the strongest negative impact on plant biomass. Higher microplastic concentrations significantly reduced chlorophyll content and triggered antioxidant stress responses. The study suggests that even supposedly eco-friendly biodegradable plastics can harm crop plants when they accumulate in soil.

2024 Environmental Geochemistry and Health 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics Can Alter Plant Parameters Without Affecting the Soil Enzymatic Activity in White Lupine

Low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyamide microplastics exposed to white lupine (Lupinus albus) over 110 days altered plant growth parameters—including root morphology and chlorophyll content—without significantly affecting soil enzymatic activity. The findings suggested MPs can impair legume health through mechanisms not captured by soil enzyme assays alone.

2024 Sustainability 1 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

Inhibition of Peanut(Arachis hypogaea L.) Growth, Development,and Promotion of Root Nodulation IncludingPlant Nitrogen Uptake Triggered by Polyvinyl Chloride Microplastics

Researchers investigated the impact of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics at concentrations of 0.5%, 1.5%, 2.5%, and 3.5% on peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) growth, development, root nodulation, and nitrogen uptake. They found that PVC microplastics inhibited above-ground plant growth while promoting root nodule formation, indicating that soil microplastic contamination can disrupt plant physiology and nitrogen cycling in agricultural systems.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Influence of Microplastics on Seedling Growth of Blackgram under Different Soil Types

A pot experiment tested the effects of polyethylene microplastics on blackgram seedling growth in two different soil types. Microplastics reduced germination rates, root and shoot growth, and chlorophyll content, with effects varying by soil type. The findings raise concerns about the impact of agricultural plastic waste on crop establishment and soil fertility.

2022 International Journal of Environment and Climate Change 6 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

Effects of polyethylene microplastics with different particle sizes on photosynthesis,biomass and root characteristics of maize seedlings

Researchers tested two sizes of polyethylene microplastics (13 μm and 150 μm) on maize seedlings in soil pot experiments and found size-dependent effects on photosynthesis, biomass, and root characteristics, with smaller particles generally causing greater physiological disruption.

2025 ACTA AGRICULTURAE UNIVERSITATIS JIANGXIENSIS
Article Tier 2

Biochemical Impact of Microplastic Exposure on Seed Enzyme Activation During Early Germination

This study examined how microplastic exposure affects antioxidant enzyme activity in seeds during early germination, finding that microplastics disrupted key biochemical processes required for seed activation. The results suggest soil microplastic contamination could impair crop establishment.

2024 African Journal of Biomedical Research
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

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings performance mainly affected by soil nitrate nitrogen under the stress of polyvinyl chloride microplastics

Researchers evaluated the effects of polyvinyl chloride microplastics on wheat seedling growth and soil properties. They found that microplastics significantly reduced shoot biomass and soil nitrate nitrogen levels, suggesting that disrupted nitrogen availability may be the primary mechanism affecting plant growth. The study indicates that microplastic contamination in agricultural soils could impair crop development by altering soil nutrient dynamics.

2024 Scientific Reports 17 citations
Article Tier 2

Responses of maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings growth and physiological traits triggered by polyvinyl chloride microplastics is dominated by soil available nitrogen

Researchers found that PVC microplastics in soil reduced maize seedling growth primarily by depleting available nitrogen, a nutrient essential for plant development. The microplastics altered soil bacteria, enzymes, and nutrient levels, with nitrogen availability explaining nearly 88% of the changes in plant growth. This suggests that microplastic pollution in agricultural soil could reduce crop yields by starving plants of essential nutrients.

2023 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 70 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

Unraveling the impact of nano-microscale polyethylene and polypropylene plastics on Nicotiana tabacum: Physiological responses and molecular mechanisms

Researchers exposed tobacco plants to polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics of different sizes and found that both types suppressed plant growth in a dose-dependent manner, with polypropylene being more toxic. The microplastics disrupted photosynthesis, triggered oxidative stress, and altered hormone signaling and defense pathways in the plants. These findings demonstrate that microplastic contamination in soil can impair crop growth at the molecular level, potentially affecting agricultural productivity.

2025 Environmental and Experimental Botany 5 citations
Article Tier 2

The Influence of Polystyrene and Biodegradable Microplastics on Phaseolus vulgaris L. Growth

Researchers grew common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in soils contaminated with polystyrene microplastics and biodegradable microplastics separately and assessed growth outcomes at two time points. Both plastic types reduced plant biomass, root length, and chlorophyll content in a dose-dependent manner, with the biodegradable variant showing comparable phytotoxicity to conventional polystyrene.

2025 ACS Omega
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
Article Tier 2

Effect of Polystyrene Microplastics on Rice Seed Germination and Antioxidant Enzyme Activity

Researchers tested how different concentrations of polystyrene microplastics affect rice seed germination, root growth, and antioxidant enzyme activity. They found that at higher concentrations, the microplastics inhibited root growth and triggered oxidative stress responses in the seedlings. The study indicates that microplastic contamination in agricultural soils could interfere with early crop development, potentially affecting food production.

2021 Toxics 157 citations
Article Tier 2

A Study on the Growth and Physiological Toxicity Effects of the Combined Exposure of Microplastics and Cadmium on the Vicia faba L. Seedlings

Researchers investigated how polystyrene microplastics alone and combined with cadmium affect the growth and physiology of fava bean seedlings grown in hydroponic culture. The study found that microplastics altered root biomass, antioxidant enzyme activity, and cellular damage markers, and that fluorescent microplastic particles entered and accumulated in root tips, indicating direct uptake by the plant.

2024 Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Effects of microplastic type on growth and physiology of soil crops: Implications for farmland yield and food quality

Researchers tested how two common types of microplastics (polypropylene and polyester) affect corn, soybean, and peanut crops grown in real farm conditions. The effects varied by crop and plastic type, with polypropylene generally reducing peanut growth while polyester had milder impacts. These findings suggest that microplastic contamination in agricultural soil could affect crop yields and food quality in ways that depend on which plastics are present.

2023 Environmental Pollution 94 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessment of physiological stress on plants grown in soil contaminated with microplastics

Researchers tested how three types of microplastics (PET, HDPE, and polyester) affect the growth and health of spring onion and okra plants. They found that all microplastic types reduced chlorophyll levels, increased oxidative stress, and stunted plant growth, with HDPE and polyester causing the most damage. The study highlights the potential ecological risks microplastics pose to vegetable crops grown in contaminated soil.

2025 Scientific Reports 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics reduce nitrogen uptake in peanut plants by damaging root cells and impairing soil nitrogen cycling

Researchers found that microplastics reduce nitrogen uptake in peanut plants by damaging root cells and impairing soil nitrogen cycling, with polypropylene and rubber crumb particles at high concentrations inhibiting plant growth and disrupting the soil-plant nitrogen system.

2022 Journal of Hazardous Materials 143 citations