Bioplastic (PHBV) addition to soil alters microbial community structure and negatively affects plant-microbial metabolic functioning in maize

Microplastic contamination poses a significant threat to agroecosystem functioning, provoking move away from the use of conventional oil-based plastics in agriculture, biodegradable alternatives that may be degraded over shorter timescale. The impact these bioplastics on plant and soil health, however, has received relatively little attention. Here, we investigated effect loading (0.01%, 0.1%, 1% 10%) biobased microplastic poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) ( Zea mays L.) health function. We showed PHBV caused dose-dependent reduction growth foliar nitrogen (N) content while untargeted metabolite analysis revealed shifts metabolic These results were also reflected soil, where led reduced availability both ammonium nitrate. Soil 14 C-isotope tracing 16 S metabarcoding supressed microbial activity, bacterial diversity shifted community structure, inducing major shift pathways, thus functioning. Overall, our data suggests bioplastic is not environmentally benign levels as low 0.01% (0.01 mg kg -1 ) can induce short-term changes with potential implications for long term health. • Effect biopolymer was addition negative altered metabolism N activity changed structure Bioplastics