Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Agroecosystems: Strategies to Mitigate Plastic Pollution for Sustainable Agriculture

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Agroecology Innovation: Achieving System Resilience".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 November 2025 | Viewed by 350

Special Issue Editors

Key Laboratory for Agro-Ecological Processes in Subtropical Regions, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha 410125, China
Interests: soil microorganisms and element geochemical cycling; eco-environmental behavior and health risks of emerging pollutants

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Guest Editor
Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113–8657, Japan
Interests: bioenrichment mechanisms of microplastics; molecular biology of functional bacteria

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The topic of “Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Agroecosystems: Strategies to Mitigate Plastic Pollution for Sustainable Agriculture” addresses the growing concern of plastic contamination in agricultural environments. Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) from sources such as plastic films, irrigation systems, and packaging are increasingly found in soils, water, and crops, posing risks to soil health, crop productivity, water quality, and food safety. These pollutants are persistent, accumulate in the food chain, and threaten the sustainability of agricultural systems.

This call invites manuscripts exploring the transport, transformation, and environmental fate of MPs and NPs in agroecosystems, with a focus on their impacts on soil microbiota, nutrient cycling, and plant health. We also seek innovative strategies with which to mitigate plastic pollution, including biodegradable alternatives, sustainable farming practices, and advanced remediation techniques for contaminated environments.

In summary, this topic aims to gather research that addresses the risks of microplastic and nanoplastic pollution in agriculture and proposes actionable solutions to reduce their impact, supporting the long-term sustainability of agricultural systems and protecting public health.

Dr. Zhimin Xu
Dr. Yifan Wang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • microplastics
  • nanoplastics
  • agroecosystems
  • plastic pollution
  • sustainable agriculture
  • environmental remediation
  • pollution mitigation strategies

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

15 pages, 4218 KiB  
Article
Potential Impacts of Microplastic Particle Size and Type on Soil Properties and Buckwheat Performance
by Lei Zhou, Junqi Chu, Yufen Zhang, Yi Zhou, Qi Wang and Baoping Zhao
Agronomy 2025, 15(5), 1064; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15051064 - 27 Apr 2025
Viewed by 154
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs), as emerging pollutants, have elicited global concerns. However, few studies have evaluated MPs with varying sizes and their adverse effects on plant growth in farmland soils. In this study, a greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of polyethylene [...] Read more.
Microplastics (MPs), as emerging pollutants, have elicited global concerns. However, few studies have evaluated MPs with varying sizes and their adverse effects on plant growth in farmland soils. In this study, a greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of polyethylene (PE) and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) with two particle sizes (100 μm and 1000 μm) on the growth, photosynthetic properties, and antioxidant enzyme activity of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench), as well as soil properties. Overall, the results showed that MPs had a certain inhibitory effect on buckwheat growth, especially with the PE treatment of 100 μm particle size. The addition of PE and PBAT inhibited photosynthesis, induced oxidative stress, and decreased soil nutrient availability (specifically ammonium nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, available potassium, and available phosphorus content), reducing above and belowground biomass. In addition, we observed that the type and size of MPs had a significant effect on buckwheat growth parameters. Degradable MPs (PBAT) showed less toxicity than non-degradable MPs (PE), and MPs with a smaller microplastic particle size (100 μm) displayed a greater inhibitory effect than larger ones (1000 μm). In conclusion, MPs showed significant inhibitory effects on the growth of buckwheat plants, highlighting the necessity for further research in this area. Full article
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