Papers

61,005 results
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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

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

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

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

Sowing in Plastic Contaminated Soils: How (Micro)plastics Impact Seed Germination and Growth of White Mustard (Sinapis alba L.)

Laboratory and pot experiments with white mustard (Sinapis alba) exposed to low-density polyethylene microplastics found dose-dependent inhibition of seed germination, root development, and shoot growth, with higher MP concentrations causing greater plant stress.

2025 Applied Sciences 3 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

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 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
Review Tier 2

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.

2023 International Journal of Phytoremediation 16 citations
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

Risks of microplastics on germination and growth of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) depending on the type, concentration, and particle size

Researchers tested how different types, concentrations, and sizes of microplastics affect pepper seed germination and seedling growth. They found that most microplastic treatments inhibited germination and that polyethylene terephthalate (PET) particles were generally the most harmful to seedling development. The study also revealed that larger microplastic particles tended to cause more oxidative stress in the plants, suggesting particle size plays an important role in toxicity.

2025 Environmental Technology & Innovation 4 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

Three typical microplastics affect the germination and growth of amaranth (Amaranthus mangostanus L.) seedlings

Researchers exposed amaranth seeds to three types of microplastics -- polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene -- and found that the effects on germination and growth varied by plastic type, concentration, and particle size. Polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics inhibited shoot growth, while polypropylene caused the most root damage through reactive oxygen species accumulation. The study provides evidence that microplastic contamination in agricultural soils may pose risks to crop development.

2022 Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 44 citations
Article Tier 2

Macro- and microplastic leachates show a slightly toxic effect on seed germination of cotton

Researchers tested the effects of leachates from macro- and microplastics of three different polymer types and degradation states on cotton seed germination, finding slight but measurable phytotoxicity from degradable mulching film leachates, with effects varying by plastic type and size.

2023 Chemosphere 24 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

Effects of Polyamide Microplastics with Different Concentrations on Cotton Seed Germination and Seedling Growth

Researchers exposed cotton seedlings to polyamide microplastics at varying concentrations, finding dose-dependent inhibition of seed germination and seedling growth, adding cotton to the list of staple agricultural crops susceptible to microplastic phytotoxicity.

2025
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

Effects of polyethylene microplastics on seed germination, growth performance, biomass production and physiological function of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) young seedlings

Researchers tested the effects of polyethylene microplastics on cowpea seedlings and found significant dose-dependent inhibition of growth, including reduced plant height, leaf length, and root length at higher concentrations. The plants showed decreased leghemoglobin content and increased antioxidant enzyme activity, indicating stress responses to microplastic exposure. The study suggests that microplastic contamination in agricultural soils can impair crop growth and nutritional quality.

2025 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 1 citations
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
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
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

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

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 impacts varying by polymer type and growth phase.

2024 PubData
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