Papers

61,005 results
|
Article Tier 2

Exposure of Bromus hordeaceus to fossil- and plant-based micro- and nanoplastics: Impacts and plant-plastic interactions vary depending on polymer type and growth phase

Experiments with the grass Bromus hordeaceus showed that both fossil-based polyethylene and plant-based PBAT micro- and nanoplastics affected seed germination and plant development, with polymer type and growth phase determining the nature and magnitude of effects.

2024 Chemosphere
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

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

Polyethylene microplastic: impacts on ryegrass seed germination and seedling development

Researchers grew perennial ryegrass in hydroponic solution with polyethylene microplastics at six concentrations and three particle sizes (200 nm, 25 µm, 200 µm) and found that the smallest nanoparticles at the highest concentrations caused the greatest inhibition of germination, root growth, and seedling biomass.

2025 BMC Plant Biology
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
Systematic Review Tier 1

Nano- and microplastics commonly cause adverse impacts on plants at environmentally relevant levels: A systematic review

Systematic review of 78 studies found that nano- and microplastics commonly cause adverse effects on plants even at environmentally relevant concentrations, with germination and root growth more strongly affected than shoot growth during early development. Chlorophyll levels were consistently reduced while stress indicators (ROS) and antioxidant enzymes were consistently upregulated across species.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 100 citations
Article Tier 2

Impacts of Micro(nano)plastics on Terrestrial Plants: Germination, Growth, and Litter

This review examines how micro and nanoplastics affect every stage of a plant's life cycle, from seed germination to growth to decomposition of dead plant material. The tiny plastic particles can physically block nutrient and water channels in plants, disrupt photosynthesis, and alter gene expression, with smaller nanoplastics generally causing more harm. These effects on plants are relevant to human health because they could reduce crop yields and allow microplastics to enter the food supply through contaminated produce.

2023 Plants 32 citations
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

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

Effects of Different Microplastics on Wheat’s (Triticum aestivum L.) Growth Characteristics and Rhizosphere Soil Environment

Researchers exposed wheat plants to multiple types of microplastics — including polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene — at different concentrations to compare their effects on plant growth and physiological parameters. Different polymer types caused varying degrees of growth inhibition and oxidative stress.

2024 Plants 5 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
Meta Analysis Tier 1

Ecotoxicological effects of plastics on plants, soil fauna and microorganisms: A meta-analysis

Meta-analysis of 2,936 observations from 140 studies found that plastics caused substantial detrimental effects to plants and soil fauna, but had less impact on microbial diversity. Larger plastics (>1 um) impaired plant growth and germination while nanoplastics primarily increased oxidative stress, and soil fauna reproduction and survival were more adversely affected by smaller particles.

2022 Environmental Pollution 52 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

Plant species-specific impact of polyethylene microspheres on seedling growth and the metabolome

Researchers modeled the lifecycle of plastic packaging and estimated the generation of secondary microplastics from different disposal pathways including landfill, incineration, and recycling. Results indicate that recycling significantly reduces microplastic generation but does not eliminate it entirely.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 59 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

The effects of microplastics on crop variation depend on polymer types and their interactions with soil nutrient availability and weed competition

Researchers investigated how different types of microplastics interact with soil nutrient availability and weed competition to affect crop growth. The study found that the effects of microplastics on plant performance depend on the polymer type and are modulated by fertilization levels and competition from weeds, suggesting that real-world agricultural impacts of microplastic pollution may be more complex than laboratory studies indicate.

2024 Plant Biology 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Negative effects of poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) microplastics on Arabidopsis and its root-associated microbiome

Researchers investigated the effects of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) biodegradable microplastics on Arabidopsis thaliana and its root-associated microbiome, finding that PBAT-MPs at tested concentrations in agricultural soil caused negative impacts on plant growth and altered the composition of root-zone microbial communities.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Meta Analysis Tier 1

Microplastic and Nanoplastic Interactions with Plant Species: Trends, Meta-Analysis, and Perspectives

This meta-analysis examines how microplastics and nanoplastics interact with plants, finding effects on germination, growth, and nutrient absorption. The findings raise concerns for human health because crops grown in microplastic-contaminated soil may take up these particles, creating another pathway for microplastics to enter our diet.

2022 Environmental Science & Technology Letters 110 citations
Article Tier 2

Impact of various microplastics on the morphological characteristics and nutrition of the young generation of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.)

Researchers examined the effects of various microplastic types on plant morphological characteristics and nutrient uptake, finding that polymer type and concentration differentially impair root growth, leaf development, and mineral absorption.

2024 Scientific Reports 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Effects of polystyrene microplastics on the seed germination of herbaceous ornamental plants

Researchers investigated how polystyrene microplastics of different sizes and concentrations affect seed germination of three ornamental plant species, finding that nanoscale particles at high concentrations significantly inhibited germination and early growth.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 150 citations
Article Tier 2

Negative effects of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) microplastics on Arabidopsis and its root-associated microbiome

Researchers found that the biodegradable plastic PBAT had greater inhibitory effects on Arabidopsis growth than conventional LDPE microplastics, disrupting photosynthesis and altering root-associated microbial communities in ways that suggest biodegradable plastics are not necessarily safer for soil ecosystems.

2022 Journal of Hazardous Materials 149 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic/nanoplastic toxicity in plants: an imminent concern

This review examines the growing body of research on how microplastics and nanoplastics affect terrestrial plants, from root uptake to changes in growth and gene expression. Researchers found that these particles can alter plant physiology and biochemistry at varying degrees depending on particle size and concentration. The study calls for more research on how plastic contamination in soil may ultimately affect food crop quality and human health through the food chain.

2022 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 182 citations
Article Tier 2

Effect of Innovative Bio-Based Plastics on Early Growth of Higher Plants

Researchers tested five bio-based plastics on early plant growth and found that monocotyledonous plants were largely unaffected, while PLA-based plastics inhibited root growth in dicotyledonous plants by up to 22% and PBS-based plastic stimulated shoot growth, suggesting bio-based plastic particles are not entirely benign in soil environments.

2023 Polymers 13 citations