WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM) AS A MODEL PLANT FOR STUDYING THE IMPACT OF HDPE MICROPLASTICS

Abstract

Plastics in the water have gotten a lot of attention in the recent decade since marine pollution has revealed its consequences on aquatic ecosystems, which are visible to the general public. Plastics in the agricultural ecosystem have not had any direct consequences, but they are concerning because they can accumulate in crop plants and influence consumers via the food web. The majority of the plastics dumped in the ocean are manufactured and utilised on land. Microplastics and nanoplastics are produced and stored in substantial amounts in soil as a result of plastic degradation. Furthermore, these plastic particles pollute terrestrial ecosystems, where they may first damage biota before spreading to other habitats. Plastics have also been proven to impact soil biophysical properties as well as geochemical properties. Plastics scattering and transport in soil could straightforwardly affect plants, bringing down crop creation. In this study, high density polyethylene was chosen as example of fibre plastic residues in organic soil to evaluate effects on wheat, a terrestrial crop, in a pot experiment in a natural setting. At each pot, the polymer was introduced in concentrations of 1g and 2.5g. The findings revealed effects on wheat plant growth, biomass, and chlorophyll content. In comparison to control plants, plastics produced oxidative stress in treated plants.