Lei Sun,Ya Liu,Yakun Feng,Zequn Fan,Lei Jiang,Can Lu,Cuiling Jiang
The presence of biodegradable microplastics (BMPs) alongside toxic metals in soil significantly threatens plant health. Current research mainly focuses on the effects of original BMPs. In contrast, the specific impacts of ultraviolet (UV)-aged BMPs and their interaction with Cadmium (Cd) on seed germination and growth are unclear. Therefore, this study incubated aged polylactic acid (PLA) MPs through a UV irradiation aging process and used an indoor hydroponic experiment to systematically investigate the single and combined effects of Cd and BMPs (virgin and aged) on pakchoi ( Brassica chinensis L. ) germination, photosynthesis, antioxidant systems, and Cd accumulation. The results showed that after 21 days of UV irradiation (UPLA MPs), PLA MPs formed a fractured surface, demonstrating more detrimental effects on pakchoi than virgin ones. UPLA MPs and Cd alone inhibited pakchoi germination, growth, and photosynthesis, while PLA MPs alone promoted these processes. Combined treatment with Cd and UPLA MPs significantly increased oxidative damage and reduced pakchoi root length, chlorophyll, Mg, Mn, and Zn content. Under the combination of Cd and BMPs, PLA MPs could effectively alleviate the toxic effect of Cd on pakchoi. The results unraveled here emphasized that UPLA MPs, especially aged BMPs, could trigger adverse effects on agro-systems with heavy metals. Therefore, the results of this study can provide a new perspective and reference for the ecological risk evaluation of Cd and BMPs pollution in agricultural soils.
Tan Zhanming,Wu Cuiyun,Xuan Zhengying,Cheng Yunxia,Xiong Renci,Su Zhihang,Wang Desheng
Lead (Pb) is a heavy metal pollutant and negatively affects agriculture and ecosystems. Pb can cause oxidative stress and abnormal plant growth. The ascorbic acid-glutathione (AsA-GSH) cycle mainly exists in chloroplasts and resists oxidative stress, scavenges reactive oxygen radicals, and maintains normal photosynthesis. However, the dosage related effects of Pb on pakchoi photosynthesis, via oxidative stress and the AsA-GSH system, remains unclear. In this study, various Pb dosage stress models were tested (low: 300 mg/kg; medium: 600 mg/kg; high: 900 mg/kg). Pb stress induced a dose-dependent increase in Pb content in pakchoi leaves (P < 0.05). Principal component analysis showed that Se, B, and Pb were significantly and negatively correlated. Pb stress also increased MDA content and decreased antioxidant enzymes SOD, GSH-Px, and T-AOC activities (P < 0.05). We also found that Vc content, as well as the GSH/GSSG ratio, decreased. Additionally, Pb stress destroyed chloroplast structure, decreased photosynthesis indicators Pn, Tr, Gs, Ci and VPD, and attenuated Fv/Fm and Fv/Fo (P < 0.05). In the high-dose group, the contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids decreased significantly, while the expression of chloroplast development genes (GLK, GLN2) decreased (P < 0.05). Our data suggest that Pb stress leads to dosage-dependent, aberrant photosynthesis by inhibiting the AsA-GSH system in pakchoi. This study expands the Pb toxicology research field and provides indications for screening antagonists.