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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Effects of polyethylene microplastics with different particle sizes on photosynthesis，biomass and root characteristics of maize seedlings
ClearParticle size-dependent biomolecular footprints of interactive microplastics in maize
Researchers tested how five common types of microplastics at different particle sizes affect maize seedlings at the molecular and physiological level. The study found that smaller microplastic particles (75-150 micrometers) caused more cellular damage than larger ones, disrupting cell membranes, reducing photosynthetic pigments, and triggering stress responses. Mixtures of multiple plastic types were especially harmful, suggesting that real-world combinations of microplastic pollution may pose greater risks to crops than individual plastic types.
Mechanistic insights into the size-dependent bioaccumulation and phytotoxicity of polyethylene microplastics in tomato seedlings
Researchers investigated how polyethylene microplastics of different sizes affect tomato seedlings and found that the smallest particles (1-50 micrometers) caused the most severe damage, reducing shoot weight by 42.3% and root length by 55.1%. The study revealed that microplastic uptake and toxicity are strongly size-dependent, with smaller particles more easily absorbed and translocated through plant tissues, triggering significant oxidative stress.
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.
Uptake and ecotoxicity of microplastics of different particle sizes in crop species
Researchers exposed seedlings of three crop species to small (0.2 µm) and large (1.0 µm) polystyrene beads and found that particle size did not affect fresh weight, but smaller particles caused significantly greater root length inhibition in cucumber compared to bean and sorghum.
Impact of microplastics on plant physiology: A meta-analysis of dose, particle size, and crop type interactions in agricultural ecosystems
This meta-analysis of 37 studies found that microplastics significantly decrease plant biomass by 13% and chlorophyll content by 28%, while increasing oxidative stress by 20%. Higher doses and smaller particle sizes caused more damage, with particle size having a greater impact than concentration — and root activity was particularly sensitive to microplastic exposure.
The dosage- and size-dependent effects of micro- and nanoplastics in lettuce roots and leaves at the growth, photosynthetic, and metabolomics levels
Researchers studied the effects of polyethylene micro- and nanoplastics on lettuce plants, varying both particle size and concentration. They found that particle size played a pivotal role in influencing plant growth, photosynthetic activity, and metabolic processes, with nanoplastics generally causing more pronounced effects than larger microplastics. The study suggests that the smallest plastic particles pose the greatest risk to crop health by disrupting plant physiology at multiple levels.
Physiological responses of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) to microplastic pollution
PVC microplastics of two different size ranges had contrasting effects on lettuce roots, with smaller particles stimulating root growth and larger particles having no effect, and smaller particles also reduced photosynthetic efficiency at moderate concentrations. The study suggests that microplastic size is a key variable determining whether effects on crops are stimulatory or inhibitory.
[Effects of Microplastics on the Growth, Physiology, and Biochemical Characteristics of Wheat (Triticum aestivum)].
Wheat seedlings were grown in soils spiked with 100 nm and 5 μm polystyrene microplastics, with high concentrations (200 mg/L) significantly inhibiting root and stem elongation, reducing chlorophyll, and altering antioxidant enzyme activity, with smaller nanoplastics showing greater toxicity. The findings demonstrate that microplastic size influences phytotoxicity in a major agricultural crop.
Smallest microplastics intensify maize yield decline, soil processes and consequent global warming potential
Researchers conducted a field experiment adding different sizes of polyethylene and polystyrene microplastics to maize-growing soil and found that the smallest particles caused the most damage. The 75-micrometer polyethylene microplastics roughly doubled greenhouse gas emissions from the soil and caused the greatest decline in maize crop yields, with scanning electron microscopy showing plastic particles taken up by plant roots and transported to stems and leaves. The findings raise serious concerns about how microplastic pollution in agricultural soils could simultaneously reduce food production and increase greenhouse gas emissions.
Impact of microplastic particle size on physiological and biochemical properties and rhizosphere metabolism of Zea mays L.: Comparison in different soil types
Researchers found that smaller microplastics caused more harm to corn plant growth than larger ones, and that soil type affected how toxic the microplastics were. The microplastics disrupted root metabolism and weakened the plants' ability to produce lignin, a structural compound important for healthy roots. This matters for food safety because microplastic contamination in farm soil could reduce crop yields and potentially affect the nutritional quality of food.
Effects of Polyethylene and Polystyrene Microplastics on Oat (Avena sativa L.) Growth and Physiological Characteristics
Researchers conducted pot experiments exposing oat seedlings to polyethylene and polystyrene microplastics at four concentrations and measured effects on growth and physiological parameters. Both particle types reduced shoot and root biomass in a dose-dependent manner, with polystyrene microplastics causing greater physiological disruption, particularly to chlorophyll content and antioxidant enzyme activity.
The absorption, immobilization, and response mechanism of Leymus chinensis to microplastics and nanoplastics
Researchers exposed sheepgrass (Leymus chinensis) to 50 nm and 20 μm PMMA particles, finding that both sizes negatively affected photosynthesis, antioxidant enzyme activity, and root growth, with nanoplastics generally causing more severe physiological disruption.
Uptake and distribution of microplastics of different particle sizes in maize (Zea mays) seedling roots
Researchers studied how maize seedling roots take up polystyrene microplastic beads of different sizes and found that smaller particles were absorbed more readily than larger ones. Particles as small as 0.2 micrometers were detected in both roots and shoots, with the root tip being the primary uptake zone. The findings confirm that microplastics can enter food crops through their root systems, raising questions about food safety.
Transcriptomic and physiological effects of polyethylene microplastics on Zea mays seedlings and their role as a vector for organic pollutants
Researchers found that polyethylene microplastics cause transcriptomic and physiological changes in corn seedlings, altering gene expression related to stress responses and growth, while also serving as vectors that increase the bioavailability of organic pollutants to plant roots.
Studies on the transfer effect of aged polyethylene microplastics in soil-plant system
Researchers studied how aged and unaged polyethylene microplastics move through soil-plant systems using maize as a model crop. They confirmed that micrometer-sized particles (26 micrometers) can be transported within plant tissues from roots to stems and leaves, expanding the known upper size limit for microplastic uptake in plants. The study quantitatively assessed microplastic accumulation at each transfer point, finding that aging of the plastic particles affected their ecological interactions in the soil.
Plants and microplastics: Growing impacts in the terrestrial environment
This review examines how microplastics affect plant growth and food crops, finding that exposure generally reduces plant size, chlorophyll content, and photosynthesis, though low concentrations can sometimes stimulate root growth. Plants can take up plastic particles smaller than 1 micrometer through their roots and move them to other tissues. These findings raise concerns that microplastics in soil, which can occur at higher levels than in water, could affect the health and nutritional quality of the food crops that people depend on.
Microplastics as emerging stressors in plants: biochemical and metabolic responses
This review examines how microplastics act as environmental stressors in plants, disrupting biochemical and metabolic processes including photosynthesis, antioxidant defenses, and nutrient uptake, with effects varying by polymer type, particle size, and concentration.
Effects of polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) on the physiology and molecular metabolism of corn (Zea mays L.) seedlings
Researchers exposed corn seedlings to polystyrene nanoplastics of different sizes and measured effects on plant growth, photosynthesis, and molecular metabolism. They found that the nanoplastics accumulated in roots and disrupted antioxidant enzyme systems and metabolic pathways, though photosynthesis was relatively unaffected. The study suggests that nanoplastic contamination in agricultural soils could subtly impair crop development at the molecular level.
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.
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.
Physiological and biochemical effects of polystyrene micro/nano plastics on Arabidopsis thaliana
Experiments on the model plant Arabidopsis showed that polystyrene nano- and microplastics reduced seed germination, stunted growth, lowered chlorophyll levels, and triggered oxidative stress in roots, with smaller particles and higher concentrations causing the most damage. These findings raise concerns about how microplastic contamination in agricultural soil could affect crop health and ultimately food production.
Unveiling the effect of microplastics on agricultural crops – a review
This review examines how microplastics affect agricultural crops, covering impacts on seed germination, root growth, photosynthesis, and overall plant health. Most studies focused on polystyrene and polyethylene under controlled lab conditions, and the effects varied widely depending on plastic type, size, and concentration. The authors stress that more field-based research is needed to understand how microplastics actually behave in real farming environments.
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.
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.