Biodegradable microplastics reduce the effectiveness of biofertilizers by altering rhizospheric microecological functions.

J Environ Manage

Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China. Electronic address:

Published: February 2024

AI Article Synopsis

  • Biofertilizers can enhance crop yields, but their effectiveness is diminished by leftover soil pollutants like polyadipate/butylene terephthalate microplastics (PBAT-MPs) from biodegradable mulch films.
  • The study showed that PBAT-MPs negatively affected the growth of Brassica chinensis L. when combined with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens biofertilizer, reducing above- and belowground biomass and nutrient content significantly.
  • Furthermore, PBAT-MPs altered the microbial environment in the soil, affecting both the composition and functions of microbes, which ultimately contributed to the inhibition of plant growth.

Article Abstract

The effectiveness of biofertilizers as a cost-effective crop yield enhancer can be compromised by residual soil pollutants. However, the impact of accumulated polyadipate/butylene terephthalate microplastics (PBAT-MPs) from biodegradable mulch films on biofertilizer application and the consequent growth of crop plants remains unclear. Here, the effects of different levels of PBAT-MPs in soil treated with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens biofertilizer were assessed in a four-week potted experiment. PBAT-MPs significantly decreased the growth-promoting effect of the biofertilizer on Brassica chinensis L., resulting in a notable reduction in both above- and belowground biomass (up to 52.91% and 57.53%, respectively), as well as nitrate and crude fiber contents (up to 12.18% and 13.64%, respectively). In the rhizosphere microenvironment, PBAT-MPs increased soil organic carbon by 2.63-fold and organic matter by 2.68-fold, while enhancing sucrase (from 67.55% to 108.89%) and cellulase (from 31.26% to 49.10%) activities. PBAT-MPs also altered the rhizospheric bacterial community composition/diversity, resulting in more complex microbial networks. With regard to microbial function, PBAT-MPs impacted carbon metabolic function by inhibiting the 3-hydroxypropionate/4-hydroxybutyrate fixation pathway and influencing chitin and lignin degradation processes. Overall, the rhizospheric microbial profiles (composition, function, and network interactions) were the main contributors to plant growth inhibition. This study provides a practical case and theoretical basis for rational use of biodegradable mulch films and indicates that the residue of biodegradable films needs pay attention.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120071DOI Listing

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