Papers

20 results
|
Article Tier 2

The multifaceted mechanisms of microplastic inhibition of tomato plant growth: oxidative toxicity, metabolic perturbation, and photosynthetic damage

Researchers exposed tomato seedlings to biodegradable and conventional microplastics and investigated photosynthetic performance, metabolic disruption, and oxidative stress responses. Both microplastic types inhibited tomato growth and caused oxidative damage, with impacts on the photosynthetic apparatus and metabolite profiles, challenging the assumption that biodegradable plastics are safer for agricultural systems.

2025 Plant Physiology and Biochemistry
Article Tier 2

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.

2026 Frontiers in Plant Science
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

Type-dependent effects of microplastics on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.): Focus on root exudates and metabolic reprogramming

Researchers grew tomato plants in the presence of three different types of microplastics and found that each type produced distinct effects on plant physiology, root secretions, and metabolic processes. Polystyrene had the strongest negative impact, significantly altering root exudate composition and triggering metabolic reprogramming in the plants. The study demonstrates that the type of plastic matters when assessing how microplastic pollution affects crop growth and soil chemistry.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 118 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene microplastics disturb the redox homeostasis, carbohydrate metabolism and phytohormone regulatory network in barley

Researchers exposed barley plants to polystyrene microplastics and found the particles accumulated in roots and stunted rootlet development by disrupting redox balance, carbohydrate metabolism enzymes, and phytohormone signaling pathways.

2021 Journal of Hazardous Materials 234 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

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

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
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

Rhizosphere nutrient dynamics and physiological responses of Oryza sativa L. under polyethylene terephthalate microplastic stress

Researchers exposed rice (Oryza sativa) to PET microplastics and found that the particles were absorbed by roots and translocated to aerial tissues, significantly inhibiting chlorophyll production, inducing oxidative stress (with malondialdehyde increasing by 175% at higher doses), and disrupting nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus cycling genes in the rhizosphere.

2025 Plant Physiology and Biochemistry
Article Tier 2

Effect of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics on radish and carrot growth, nutrient uptake, and physiological stress responses

Researchers exposed radish and carrot seedlings to PET microplastics (0.1 g/L) for one week and measured growth, nutrient uptake, and stress markers. While plant biomass was unaffected, chlorophyll levels dropped and oxidative stress indicators rose significantly, showing physiological harm even without visible growth effects.

2025 Applied Biological Chemistry
Review Tier 2

Unveiling the mechanism of micro-and-nano plastic phytotoxicity on terrestrial plants: A comprehensive review of omics approaches.

This comprehensive review examined how micro-and-nano plastics (MNPs) in terrestrial soils damage plant health by inhibiting water and nutrient uptake, reducing seed germination, impairing photosynthesis, and inducing oxidative stress. The review identified key knowledge gaps in understanding MNP phytotoxicity mechanisms and their implications for food security.

2025 Environment international
Article Tier 2

Impacts of Plastics on Plant Development: Recent Advances and Future Research Directions

This review summarizes how microplastics and nanoplastics affect plant growth, from blocking seed germination and root development to causing oxidative stress and DNA damage in plant cells. Nanoplastics are small enough to be absorbed by roots and transported to stems, leaves, and even fruits. These findings are concerning for human health because they show that microplastics can enter the food supply through crops, creating a direct pathway for human exposure through plant-based foods.

2023 Plants 44 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
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

Micro and nanoplastics pollution: Sources, distribution, uptake in plants, toxicological effects, and innovative remediation strategies for environmental sustainability

This review examines how microplastics and nanoplastics enter plants through roots, disrupt growth and photosynthesis, and cause oxidative stress that reduces crop yields. Because these plastic particles can move through plant tissues and into edible parts, they represent a potential pathway for microplastics to enter the human food supply.

2024 Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 62 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in agriculture: How exposure pathway (Seed, Leaf, Root) dictates phytotoxicity in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

This study compared the phytotoxicity of polyethylene microplastics applied to lettuce via seed, leaf, and root exposure pathways, finding that root exposure caused the greatest growth inhibition and oxidative stress. The route of MP exposure significantly influenced the type and severity of toxic effects on crops.

2025 Environmental Advances
Article Tier 2

Effect of Polyethylene Terephthalate Microplastics on Tomato Plant: Experimental and AI Modeling

Researchers exposed tomato plants to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics and found that the plastic particles inhibited growth, reduced chlorophyll, and disrupted cellular structures. AI-based modeling predicted plant stress responses at different microplastic concentrations, demonstrating that PET contamination in agricultural soils can impair food crop production.

2023 International Journal of Environment and Climate Change 2 citations
Meta Analysis Tier 1

Toxic effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on plants: A global meta-analysis

This meta-analysis of 101 studies found that micro- and nanoplastics negatively affect plant physiology, with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) showing the strongest impact on fresh weight, chlorophyll, and reactive oxygen species. Microplastics inhibited most growth and photosynthetic indicators more strongly than nanoplastics, and exposure consistently triggered increased biochemical stress enzyme activity.

2023 Environmental Pollution 46 citations
Article Tier 2

Physiological Toxicity and Antioxidant Mechanism of Photoaging Microplastics on Pisum sativum L. Seedlings

Researchers tested the toxicity of pristine and photoaged microplastics made of four different polymers (PS, PA, PE, PET) on pea seedlings. The study found that photoaged microplastics caused more harm to root growth than pristine ones, generated reactive oxygen species that worsened oxidative stress, and disrupted nutrient transport in plant tissues. These findings suggest that environmental weathering of microplastics increases their toxicity to plants through enhanced oxidative damage.

2023 Toxics 20 citations