Noted effects included reduced leaf size, abrasion damage to roots and changes in shoot and root lengths. Microplastics were also found to disrupt nutrient cycling and availability, increasing greenhouse gas emissions from soils and reducing the amount of nutrients available to the crops.
In addition, the review outlines negative impacts on livestock health, including weight changes, hormonal imbalances and inhibited muscle fibre growth – though the authors note that evidence in this area remains limited and further research is needed.
The review also found that some plastics marketed as biodegradable can have greater impacts under certain conditions, such as soil type and the specific shape or concentration of the microplastics.