Invisible threats in soil: Microplastic pollution and its effects on soil health and plant growth

Microplastics (MPs) are a significant environmental contaminant that increasingly threaten soil health and crop productivity in agricultural systems. This review explores the origins, migration patterns, and ecological impacts of MPs within soil environments, specifically examining their influence on soil structure, microbial communities, and nutrient cycles essential for plant growth. Despite the progress in understanding Microplastic (MP) pollution, gaps remain in assessing the long-term implications on soil stability, microbial biodiversity, and crop yield. Through bibliometric and synthesis analyses of recent studies, this paper identifies how MPs disrupt soil physical and chemical processes, alter microbial dynamics, and interfere with carbon and nitrogen cycles, resulting in reduced soil fertility and compromised crop health. Key findings reveal that MPs can infiltrate plant root systems, impair water and nutrient uptake, and even accumulate in plant tissues, causing oxidative stress, cellular dysfunction, and yield reduction. This work emphasizes the urgent need for refined environmental risk assessments and sustainable agricultural practices to mitigate MP pollution. This comprehensive synthesis offers a foundational perspective to guide future research and policy efforts in addressing MPs' environmental and agricultural impacts.