Microplastics of different shapes increase seed germination synchrony while only films and fibers affect seed germination velocity
Microplastics enter the soil in a variety of shapes and polymer types altering soil properties with known consequences for plant growth. However, the effects of a range of different microplastic shapes and types on seed germination are mostly unknown. Here, we established a glasshouse experiment tha...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Environmental Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2022.1017349/full |
| _version_ | 1797986770431770624 |
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| author | Yudi M. Lozano Yudi M. Lozano Putri U. Caesaria Matthias C. Rillig Matthias C. Rillig |
| author_facet | Yudi M. Lozano Yudi M. Lozano Putri U. Caesaria Matthias C. Rillig Matthias C. Rillig |
| author_sort | Yudi M. Lozano |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Microplastics enter the soil in a variety of shapes and polymer types altering soil properties with known consequences for plant growth. However, the effects of a range of different microplastic shapes and types on seed germination are mostly unknown. Here, we established a glasshouse experiment that included 12 microplastic types representing different shapes (fibers, films, foams and fragments) and polymers, and mixed each of them with soil at a concentration of 0.4% (w/w). Fifty seeds of Daucus carota were sown and monitored for 49 days to evaluate different germination parameters. Our results showed that microplastic films and fibers decrease seed germination velocity as they may affect soil water status, likely interfering with different phases of seed germination: Seeds may imbibe toxic microplastic leachates, and be affected by a physical blockage; testa rupturing may be delayed as this also depends on water uptake. Microplastic toxic leachates may affect activity of enzymes key for seed germination, and delay embryo growth and radicle emergence. Microplastics, irrespective of their shape and polymer type, increase synchrony of seed germination, which might be linked with microplastics exerting a mild stress on seeds. The final percentage of germination was not affected by microplastics in soil, implying that microplastics did not affect seed viability. Our results showed that microplastics affect seed germination mainly as a function of their shape. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T07:38:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-41985c73d1d549458feb48842ca87ae1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-665X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T07:38:22Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Environmental Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-41985c73d1d549458feb48842ca87ae12022-12-22T04:36:40ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Environmental Science2296-665X2022-11-011010.3389/fenvs.2022.10173491017349Microplastics of different shapes increase seed germination synchrony while only films and fibers affect seed germination velocityYudi M. Lozano0Yudi M. Lozano1Putri U. Caesaria2Matthias C. Rillig3Matthias C. Rillig4Institute of Biology, Plant Ecology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, GermanyBerlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), Berlin, GermanyInstitute of Biology, Plant Ecology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, GermanyInstitute of Biology, Plant Ecology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, GermanyBerlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), Berlin, GermanyMicroplastics enter the soil in a variety of shapes and polymer types altering soil properties with known consequences for plant growth. However, the effects of a range of different microplastic shapes and types on seed germination are mostly unknown. Here, we established a glasshouse experiment that included 12 microplastic types representing different shapes (fibers, films, foams and fragments) and polymers, and mixed each of them with soil at a concentration of 0.4% (w/w). Fifty seeds of Daucus carota were sown and monitored for 49 days to evaluate different germination parameters. Our results showed that microplastic films and fibers decrease seed germination velocity as they may affect soil water status, likely interfering with different phases of seed germination: Seeds may imbibe toxic microplastic leachates, and be affected by a physical blockage; testa rupturing may be delayed as this also depends on water uptake. Microplastic toxic leachates may affect activity of enzymes key for seed germination, and delay embryo growth and radicle emergence. Microplastics, irrespective of their shape and polymer type, increase synchrony of seed germination, which might be linked with microplastics exerting a mild stress on seeds. The final percentage of germination was not affected by microplastics in soil, implying that microplastics did not affect seed viability. Our results showed that microplastics affect seed germination mainly as a function of their shape.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2022.1017349/fullgermination phasesmicroplastic leachatesmicroplastic shapeseed porestesta rupturestiming |
| spellingShingle | Yudi M. Lozano Yudi M. Lozano Putri U. Caesaria Matthias C. Rillig Matthias C. Rillig Microplastics of different shapes increase seed germination synchrony while only films and fibers affect seed germination velocity Frontiers in Environmental Science germination phases microplastic leachates microplastic shape seed pores testa ruptures timing |
| title | Microplastics of different shapes increase seed germination synchrony while only films and fibers affect seed germination velocity |
| title_full | Microplastics of different shapes increase seed germination synchrony while only films and fibers affect seed germination velocity |
| title_fullStr | Microplastics of different shapes increase seed germination synchrony while only films and fibers affect seed germination velocity |
| title_full_unstemmed | Microplastics of different shapes increase seed germination synchrony while only films and fibers affect seed germination velocity |
| title_short | Microplastics of different shapes increase seed germination synchrony while only films and fibers affect seed germination velocity |
| title_sort | microplastics of different shapes increase seed germination synchrony while only films and fibers affect seed germination velocity |
| topic | germination phases microplastic leachates microplastic shape seed pores testa ruptures timing |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2022.1017349/full |
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