ECOSCHIL
The presence of microplastics (MPs) in agricultural soils is an emerging concern due to their potential interaction with other contaminants and their effects on the soil. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of cropping systems on the MP content, chemical and biological properties of the soil, and structure of microbial communities in an Andisol in the Ñuble region of Chile. Soils were sampled from five crops: sugar beet, oat, maize, tomato, and wheat. Concentrations of MPs, chemical parameters, total and bioavailable concentrations of trace elements, enzyme activities, and microbial composition were determined through 16S and ITS sequencing . MPs contents were higher in sugar beet and oat (260, 200 Items kg-1), and lower in maize (60 Items kg-1), with polypropylene as the dominant polymer. Tomatoes showed higher nutrient availability, with Olsen phosphorus at 98 mg kg?¹ (3–8  times higher), increased urease, phosphatase, and ß-glucosidase activities, and elevated As and Pb. Bacterial communities were dominated by unclassified genera (Incertae Sedis) in all systems, with Niallia and Gaiella more abundant in tomato and maize, and Conexibacter in wheat under lower nutrient availability and pH. Fungal communities showed greater crop specificity, with Pleosporales in wheat, Lasiosphaeriaceae in maize, Chaetomium in sugar beet, and Penicillium in oat. Multivariate analysis revealed associations between MPs, bioavailable metals, and enzyme activities (ß-Glucosidase), although the correlations were weak. These results show that crop type, agricultural management, and the presence of contaminants interact and may affect microbial communities.
The presence of microplastics (MPs) in agricultural soils is an emerging concern due to their potential interaction with other contaminants and their effects on the soil. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of cropping systems on the MP content, chemical and biological properties of the soil, and structure of microbial communities in an Andisol in the Ñuble region of Chile. Soils were sampled from five crops: sugar beet, oat, maize, tomato, and wheat. Concentrations of MPs, chemical parameters, total and bioavailable concentrations of trace elements, enzyme activities, and microbial composition were determined through 16S and ITS sequencing . MPs contents were higher in sugar beet and oat (260, 200 Items kg-1), and lower in maize (60 Items kg-1), with polypropylene as the dominant polymer. Tomatoes showed higher nutrient availability, with Olsen phosphorus at 98 mg kg?¹ (3–8  times higher), increased urease, phosphatase, and ß-glucosidase activities, and elevated As and Pb. Bacterial communities were dominated by unclassified genera (Incertae Sedis) in all systems, with Niallia and Gaiella more abundant in tomato and maize, and Conexibacter in wheat under lower nutrient availability and pH. Fungal communities showed greater crop specificity, with Pleosporales in wheat, Lasiosphaeriaceae in maize, Chaetomium in sugar beet, and Penicillium in oat. Multivariate analysis revealed associations between MPs, bioavailable metals, and enzyme activities (ß-Glucosidase), although the correlations were weak. These results show that crop type, agricultural management, and the presence of contaminants interact and may affect microbial communities.
Nantes Universite