AUTHOR=Chen Zhangling , Carter Laura J. , Banwart Steven A. , Kay Paul 

TITLE=Environmental levels of microplastics disrupt growth and stress pathways in edible crops via species-specific mechanisms

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=Volume 16 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1670247

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2025.1670247

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=IntroductionMicroplastics (MPs) are emerging contaminants in agricultural soils. However, the responses of different plant species to MP stress under soil conditions across varying concentration levels, as well as the underlying mechanisms, remain insufficiently understood.MethodsThis study examined the morphological, physiological, and biochemical responses of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa) and cherry radish (Raphanus sativus) grown in soil containing polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) at concentrations of 10, 50, and 100 mg/kg.ResultsPS-MPs altered soil properties by increasing pH and water-holding capacity (WHC), which promoted early germination in both species. However, during later growth stages, MPs inhibited development in a species-specific manner. In cherry radish, root length and fruit diameter decreased by 35.0% and 20.4%, respectively, primarily due to physical blockage. In Chinese cabbage, leaf area and petiole number declined by 35.9% and 41.7%, mainly driven by soil structural disruption and nutrient loss. Notably, the most pronounced effects occurred at low (10 mg/kg) to medium (50 mg/kg) concentrations, indicating a non-linear dose–response relationship. Hierarchical regression analysis (HRA) further revealed distinct toxicity mechanisms: physical accumulation and localized hypoxia were predominant in cherry radish, whereas oxidative stress and redox imbalance played a central role in Chinese cabbage.DiscussionThese findings support current ecotoxicological models and highlight the importance of plant–particle interactions in shaping crop responses. The results provide new insight into MP phytotoxicity and inform future risk assessments under realistic soil conditions.