phytotoxicity
Phytotoxicity refers to the harmful effects that chemical substances—such as herbicides, heavy metals, excess fertilizers, or nanoparticles—exert on plant growth, physiology, and metabolism. Understanding phytotoxicity is critical to plant science because it underlies key processes like the disruption of photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, cell division, and seed germination. Research in this area informs safe agrochemical use, environmental risk assessment, and the development of more resilient crops capable of tolerating chemical stressors.
open_in_new WikipediaPubMed · 2026-04-12
Tiny plastic particles in soil rarely act alone — they clump together with natural organic compounds and metal ions like calcium, forming aggregates that are far more disruptive to plants than isolated nanoplastics. This study shows those real-world plastic clusters alter how plants regulate growth hormones and produce energy, raising concerns that lab safety tests underestimate actual risk.
Polystyrene nanoplastics aggregated significantly in the presence of dissolved organic matter and calcium ions, changing their surface properties and increasing their biological impact on plants.
Nanoplastic aggregates disrupted plant hormone signaling pathways, interfering with the chemical signals that regulate growth, stress responses, and development.
Energy metabolism in plants was altered by aggregate exposure, suggesting that real-world nanoplastic mixtures are more phytotoxic than isolated particles studied in standard lab conditions.