Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Polyester microfibers delay growth of cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) throughout the lifecycle

Researchers found that polyester microfibers delayed the growth of cherry tomatoes throughout their entire lifecycle when grown in peaty growing media, demonstrating that synthetic textile fiber contamination — a dominant contaminant in agricultural biosolids — negatively affects plant productivity.

2025 DRYAD
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
Article Tier 2

Presence of High-Density Polyethylene Nanoplastics (HDPE-NPs) in Soil Can Influence the Growth Parameters of Tomato Plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.) at Various Stages of Development

Researchers grew tomato plants in soil spiked with high-density polyethylene nanoplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations, finding that the nanoplastics slowed germination, reduced root and shoot growth, and affected plant physiology at multiple developmental stages. Effects were dose-dependent and more pronounced at higher nanoplastic concentrations. As nanoplastics are now detected in agricultural soils through biosolid application and irrigation, this study raises concerns about the impact of nano-sized plastic contamination on food crop yields.

2025 Sustainability 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Polyester Microplastic Fibers affect Soil Physical Properties and Erosion as a Function of Soil Type

This study found that polyester microplastic fibers changed soil physical properties — including aggregate stability and water infiltration — and significantly increased erosion vulnerability in two of three agricultural soil types tested. The results show that microplastic pollution in farmland soils can degrade their structural integrity, threatening long-term agricultural productivity.

2021 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on tomato plant growth, fruit yield and quality

Researchers investigated how polystyrene nanoplastics affect tomato plant growth and fruit quality, finding that exposure reduced seedling biomass, impaired photosynthesis, and triggered oxidative stress. At higher concentrations, the nanoplastics inhibited mineral uptake and diminished fruit yield along with nutritional quality markers like vitamin C and lycopene. The study highlights that nanoplastic contamination in agricultural soils could pose a meaningful threat to food crop productivity and nutritional value.

2026 Food Chemistry
Article Tier 2

Impacts of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Tomato Crops: A Critical Review

This review covers the impacts of microplastics and nanoplastics on tomato crops, documenting disruption at germination, root development, flowering, and fruit production stages. It also examines how these particles alter soil microbial communities and identifies priority research areas for understanding MP effects on major food crops.

2025 Environments
Article Tier 2

The effect of sewage sludge containing microplastics on growth and fruit development of tomato plants

Sewage sludge containing microplastics was applied to soil and effects on tomato plant growth and fruit development were assessed. Microplastic exposure through sludge-amended soil altered vegetative growth and fruit maturation, suggesting that agricultural sludge application is a route by which microplastics affect food crops.

2020 Environmental Pollution 170 citations
Article Tier 2

MICROPLÁSTICOS Y NANOPLÁSTICOS: UNA REVISIÓN SISTEMÁTICA DE SU IMPACTO EN EL CRECIMIENTO DE TOMATE (Solanum lycopersicum)

This systematic review analysed published studies on the effects of synthetic microplastics and nanoplastics on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) growth, examining how polymer type, particle size, concentration, and growth medium modulate phytotoxicity. The review found that MP and NP exposure consistently impaired biomass accumulation, plant height, flower and fruit production, and root and shoot length, with higher concentrations and smaller particle sizes generally producing the most pronounced negative effects.

2025 Revista Ciencia e Innovación Agroalimentaria de la Universidad de Guanajuato
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

Can microplastics threaten plant productivity and fruit quality? Insights from Micro-Tom and Micro-PET/PVC

Researchers grew tomato plants in soil containing environmentally realistic levels of PET and PVC microplastics and found mixed effects on plant productivity and fruit quality. While some growth parameters were affected, the microplastics also altered the mineral content of the tomatoes. This study suggests that microplastics in agricultural soil could change the nutritional profile of the food we eat.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 58 citations
Article Tier 2

Polyester microplastic fibers in soil increase nitrogen loss via leaching and decrease plant biomass production and N uptake

Researchers found that polyester microplastic fibers in soil increased nitrogen loss via leaching by up to 300% while decreasing plant biomass production and nitrogen uptake in maize, demonstrating significant disruption to agroecosystem nutrient cycling.

2022 Environmental Research Letters 92 citations
Article Tier 2

A Combined Effect of Mixed Multi-Microplastic Types on Growth and Yield of Tomato

Researchers grew tomatoes in soil spiked with a mixture of polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene microplastics and found that while the plants appeared to grow normally, the nutritional quality of the fruit changed. Microplastics significantly reduced carotenoids, flavonoids, and sugars in the tomatoes while increasing protein and certain stress-related enzymes. This suggests that even when crops look healthy, microplastics in soil could subtly reduce the nutritional value of the food we eat.

2025 Microplastics 9 citations
Article Tier 2

A Combined Effect of Mixed Multi-Microplastic Types on Growth and Yield of Tomato

A greenhouse experiment found that a 1% w/w mixture of polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene microplastics negatively affected tomato plant development and yield, with statistical analysis confirming significant growth reductions compared to uncontaminated soil.

2024 Preprints.org
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 polyester microfibers on soil physical properties: Perception from a field and a pot experiment

Polyester microfiber additions to clayey soil at 0.1% and 0.3% concentrations in field and pot experiments significantly increased large pore volume (>30 μm) and reduced small pore volume (<30 μm) but did not affect bulk density or saturated hydraulic conductivity. The findings indicate that polyester microfibers alter soil pore structure in ways that could influence water retention and plant-available water in agricultural soils.

2019 The Science of The Total Environment 491 citations
Article Tier 2

Impact of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastic on growth, photosynthesis and nutrient uptake of Solanum lycopersicum L. (Tomato)

Adding PVC microplastics to soil reduced tomato plant growth, photosynthesis, and nutrient uptake in a dose-dependent manner, even though no visible damage appeared on the leaves. At the molecular level, the microplastics disrupted genes and proteins involved in photosynthesis and nutrient absorption. This matters for food safety because microplastics in agricultural soils could reduce crop yields and potentially enter the food supply.

2024 Environmental Pollution 34 citations
Article Tier 2

Effect of polypropylene microplastics on seed germination and nutrient uptake of tomato and cherry tomato plants

Researchers tested the effects of polypropylene microplastics on tomato and cherry tomato seed growth in lab conditions. While microplastics did not significantly affect germination, they did alter how plants absorbed certain nutrients like potassium and calcium. This suggests that microplastic-contaminated soil could subtly change the nutritional quality of food crops, even if the plants appear to grow normally.

2023 Chemosphere 92 citations
Article Tier 2

Impact of Polystyrene Microplastics on Soil Properties, Microbial Diversity and Solanum lycopersicum L. Growth in Meadow Soils

Researchers tested how polystyrene microplastics of different sizes and concentrations affect tomato plant growth and soil microbes. Surprisingly, some microplastic treatments boosted plant growth and soil nutrients, while others reduced microbial diversity and disrupted soil community networks. The mixed results show that microplastic effects on agriculture are complex and depend on particle size and concentration, making it difficult to predict how contaminated soil will affect food crops.

2025 Plants 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Contamination in Agricultural Soils: Impacts on soil properties and plant performance

This review synthesized research on microplastic contamination in agricultural soils, examining how MPs affect soil physical properties, chemistry, and plant growth performance. It identified key knowledge gaps around MP accumulation rates, long-term soil effects, and impacts on food crop yields.

2025 University of Southern Queensland research data collection
Article Tier 2

The persistent impacts of polyester microfibers on soil bio-physical properties following thermal treatment

Polyester microfibers added to soil had persistent effects on soil structure including reduced aggregate stability and altered water retention even after a heat treatment intended to destroy the fibers, suggesting that microplastic-induced changes to soil physical properties can outlast the physical presence of the particles themselves.

2021 Journal of Hazardous Materials 59 citations
Article Tier 2

Risks of microplastics from polyurethane and polyethylene-polycarbonate coated fertilizers to soil-crop system

Microplastics derived from polyurethane and polyethylene-polycarbonate coated fertilizers significantly reduced tomato seed germination rates (by 12–22%) and inhibited early seedling growth, while also altering soil enzyme activity in ways that could affect long-term soil health.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials
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

Addition of polyester microplastic fibers to soil alters the diversity and abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and affects plant growth and nutrition

Researchers added polyester microplastic fibers to soil microcosms and monitored changes in microbial diversity and abundance over time, finding that fibers altered soil bacterial and fungal community structure at realistic environmental concentrations.

2024 European Journal of Soil Biology 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Polyethylene nanoplastics affected morphological, physiological, and molecular indices in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Polyethylene nanoplastics in soil caused significant damage to tomato plants, including reduced growth, delayed flowering, lower fruit quality, and changes in DNA methylation patterns. Even at low concentrations, the nanoplastics triggered oxidative stress and altered gene expression in the plants. These findings raise concerns about food safety because nanoplastic contamination in farm soil could reduce both the yield and nutritional quality of tomatoes and potentially other food crops.

2025 Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 8 citations