Root architecture-informed nano-remediation strategy for nanoplastics toxicity in maize and soybean

作者：Feng Yan, Enpei Zhao, Bin Yan, Bo Wang, Hao Liang, Siwen Fan, Xin Gu · 发表于：Plant Physiology and Biochemistry · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1016/j.plaphy.2025.110756 · 被引用次数：3 · 研究领域：Microplastics and Plastic Pollution、Nanoparticles: synthesis and applications、biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties

The pervasive accumulation of nano-plastics (NPs) in agroecosystems poses critical threats to crop productivity and food security. However, effective and targeted remediation strategies remain limited, particularly those that account for crop-specific traits such as root architecture, which may critically influence both nano-plastic uptake and the efficacy of nano-remedies. This study establishes a root architecture-informed nano-remediation strategy using manganese ferrite nanomaterials (MnFe 2 O 4 NMs) to mitigate nano-plastics toxicity in maize and soybean. Through factorial experiments integrating foliar and soil NM delivery, we demonstrate that nano-plastics reduce biomass by 7.9-14.7% via oxidative damage, photosynthetic inhibition, and metabolic disruption, with maize exhibiting greater susceptibility due to its shallow taproot system. Crucially, iron-based NMs reversed NPs-induced stress by 8.5-23.3%, where soil-applied NMs optimized maize recovery (17.3% shoot biomass increase) through direct root interaction and antioxidant activation, while foliar NMs maximized soybean resilience (23.9% POD enhancement) via leaf antioxidant coordination. Metabolomic and physiological analyses revealed species-specific mechanisms: maize depended on NMs-mediated restoration of nitrogen assimilation and TCA cycle intermediates, whereas soybean leveraged architectural buffering and flavonoid-based stress mitigation. Structural equation modeling identified antioxidant capacity, photosyn...