Microplastics in the rhizosphere: unraveling plant–microbe–soil interactions and consequences for crop resilience
- 1Department of Biosciences, Integral University
- 2Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University
- 3Department of Biology and Plant Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bialystok
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs), plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, are increasingly recognized as pervasive pollutants in terrestrial ecosystems, especially agricultural soils, which serve as long-term sinks. While early research prioritized aquatic environments, recent studies underscore the diverse pathways through which MPs infiltrate soils, via plastic mulching, wastewater irrigation, sewage sludge, compost, and atmospheric deposition. This review provides a comprehensive overview of emerging insights into MPs-plant-microbe interactions within soil systems, emphasizing both their complex ecological effects and key knowledge gaps. The main objective of this review is to consolidate current evidence on how MPs affect plant physiology and soil microbial dynamics, and to highlight methodological limitations impeding progress in this field. MPs exhibit variable but often detrimental effects on plant health, including delayed germination, inhibited growth, impaired photosynthesis, and disrupted nutrient uptake. These outcomes are largely driven by physical blockage, chemical leaching, and oxidative stress, and are influenced by MPs characteristics (polymer type, shape, concentration) and plant species traits. Interestingly, low MPs levels may occasionally improve root biomass through enhanced soil aeration and water retention, reflecting the context-dependent nature of MPs impacts. Crucially, MPs alter soil microbial communities, reducing beneficial microbes, promoting pathogens, and interfering with enzymatic functions, thereby indirectly undermining soil fertility and crop productivity. Disruption of symbiotic relationships, such as mycorrhizal associations, further compounds ecological stress. This review also identifies a pressing need for standardized MPs detection and toxicity assessment protocols. Advancing analytical tools and ecologically relevant models is essential for uncovering plant molecular responses and supporting sustainable agriculture in MPs-contaminated environments.
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BibTeX
@article{saeed2026microplastics,
title = {{Microplastics in the rhizosphere: unraveling plant–microbe–soil interactions and consequences for crop resilience}},
author = {Taiba Saeed and Tanveer Alam Khan and Mohammad Yusuf and Andrzej Bajguz},
journal = {Plant Signaling \& Behavior},
year = {2026},
month = may,
doi = {10.1080/15592324.2026.2678701},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1080/15592324.2026.2678701},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Microplastics in the rhizosphere: unraveling plant–microbe–soil interactions and consequences for crop resilience
AU - Taiba Saeed
AU - Tanveer Alam Khan
AU - Mohammad Yusuf
AU - Andrzej Bajguz
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/05/23
JO - Plant Signaling & Behavior
DO - 10.1080/15592324.2026.2678701
UR - https://doi.org/10.1080/15592324.2026.2678701
AB - Microplastics (MPs), plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, are increasingly recognized as pervasive pollutants in terrestrial ecosystems, especially agricultural soils, which serve as long-term sinks. While early research prioritized aquatic environments, recent studies underscore the diverse pathways through which MPs infiltrate soils, via plastic mulching, wastewater irrigation, sewage sludge, compost, and atmospheric deposition. This review provides a comprehensive overview of emerging insights into MPs-plant-microbe interactions within soil systems, emphasizing both their complex ecological effects and key knowledge gaps. The main objective of this review is to consolidate current evidence on how MPs affect plant physiology and soil microbial dynamics, and to highlight methodological limitations impeding progress in this field. MPs exhibit variable but often detrimental effects on plant health, including delayed germination, inhibited growth, impaired photosynthesis, and disrupted nutrient uptake. These outcomes are largely driven by physical blockage, chemical leaching, and oxidative stress, and are influenced by MPs characteristics (polymer type, shape, concentration) and plant species traits. Interestingly, low MPs levels may occasionally improve root biomass through enhanced soil aeration and water retention, reflecting the context-dependent nature of MPs impacts. Crucially, MPs alter soil microbial communities, reducing beneficial microbes, promoting pathogens, and interfering with enzymatic functions, thereby indirectly undermining soil fertility and crop productivity. Disruption of symbiotic relationships, such as mycorrhizal associations, further compounds ecological stress. This review also identifies a pressing need for standardized MPs detection and toxicity assessment protocols. Advancing analytical tools and ecologically relevant models is essential for uncovering plant molecular responses and supporting sustainable agriculture in MPs-contaminated environments.
SN - 1559-2316
SN - 1559-2324
ER -