Impact of Microplastic on Roadside Vegetable Cultivation: A Case Study of Agricultural Farmland

Microplastic (MPs) pollution poses a significant threat to environmental integrity, particularly in agricultural areas adjacent to roads. There is a dire need to know the occurrence of MPs on roadside vegetable farmlands and their effect on the agro-ecosystem. Therefore, the study was planned to investigate the influence of MPs on the growth and development of roadside vegetables in the city of Multan, Pakistan. Analysis indicated that fiber, microbeads, and polythene bag particles were the main types of MPs. The concentration of MPs was inversely correlated with the distance of farmlands from the road. The maximum concentration of MPs (3490-3540 items/kg) was observed in the farmlands near the road (site-1), while the minimum MPs (2698-2761 items/kg) were measured in the farmlands located away from the road (site-3). Additionally, plant analysis showed that chlorophyll contents (a & b) and ascorbic acid (AsA) contents measured in all the vegetables were directly correlated with the distance from the road respectively Chl-a [(site-1 0.07-0.17), (site-2 0.14-0.20), (site-3 0.19-0.22 mg. g^-1 FW), Chl-b [(site-1 0.04-0.23), (site-2 0.09-0.28) (site-3 0.17-0.36 mg g^-1 FW)], AsA (site-1 0.54-0.64), (site-2 0.95-1.13), (site-3 1.57-1.82 μmol g^-1)] and malondialdehyde (MDA) [(site-1 6.16-14.5), (site-2 6.03-13.16), (site-3 5.16-11.33 nmol g^-1), superoxide dismutase (SOD) [(site-1 200-224), (site-2 175.33-199.6) (site-3 157.33-136.33 U g^-1 FW)], h ydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) [(site-1 12.5-14.66), (site-2 6.16-10), (site-3 3.66-6.66 nmol g^-1 FW)] and carotenoids contents [(site-1 0.058-0.099), (site-2 0.033-0.069), (site-3 0.014-0.029 mg g^-1 FW)] were inversely correlated with the distance from the road. This study reveals the phytotoxicity of MPs for plant growth and yield as well as hazardous for animals due to their possible transfer into the food chain. Our findings highlight the detrimental effects of MP contamination on plant growth and yield, emphasizing the urgent need for mitigation strategies for food security.