Microplastics from biodegradable plastic bags alter soil properties and trigger stress response in sunflowers

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00216305%3A26210%2F26%3A0201438" target="_blank" >RIV/00216305:26210/26:0201438 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:001659343900001" target="_blank" >https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:001659343900001</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127618" target="_blank" >10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127618</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Microplastics from biodegradable plastic bags alter soil properties and trigger stress response in sunflowers

Original language description

The widespread replacement of conventional plastics with biodegradable alternatives raises questions about their long-term effects in agricultural soils. We investigated the impact of microplastics (MPs) cryo-milled from homecompostable (PBAT_HOME) and industrial-compostable (PBAT_IND) polybutylene adipate terephthalate bags and compared it to the toxicity of MPs from conventional polyethylene (PE) bags. Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus L.) were grown in pots with soil spiked with 0 %, 0.05 %, 0.5 %, and 1.0 % (w/w) MPs for eight weeks under a 16/8 day-night photoperiod at room temperature (22/18 degrees C). Plant responses differed notably between biodegradable and conventional MPs as revealed by two-way hierarchical clustering analysis: both PBAT_HOME and PBAT_IND significantly reduced shoot and root biomass at 0.5 % and 1 %, while PE had no effect. At higher PBAT concentrations, proline levels increased, consistent with activation of drought-like stress response pathways that merit confirmation with additional molecular biomarkers. Soil water holding capacity increased at 1 % of all three MPs, indicating a lower water availability for plants in the MP-spiked soil. pH was slightly increased at 1 % PBAT_HOME and significantly at 1 % PBAT_IND soil. Despite differences in particle size, polymer composition, and starch content, no single factor explained the observed effects, suggesting a combined influence. These results highlight that biodegradable MPs can alter soil properties and trigger physiological responses in plants, emphasizing the need to assess their ecological impacts, especially in agricultural systems where soil health and resilience are critical for crop production.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

10511 - Environmental sciences (social aspects to be 5.7)

Project

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Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2026

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Environmental Pollution

ISSN

0269-7491

e-ISSN

1873-6424

Volume of the periodical

391

Issue of the periodical within the volume

127618

Country of publishing house

GB - UNITED KINGDOM

Number of pages

12

Pages from-to

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UT code for WoS article

001659343900001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

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