Ecology & Biology

·

Study

Microplastics Shift Beneficial Fungi in Farm Soils

Microplastics Shift Beneficial Fungi in Farm Soils

Mycorrhizal fungi

What they found

Microplastics, especially fibers, shifted farm soil mycorrhizal fungi toward stress-tolerant types.

Microplastics, especially fibers, shifted farm soil mycorrhizal fungi toward stress-tolerant types.

How solid is it?

Field study

Field study

Field/ecology

Field/ecology

Evidence ladder: Lab dish → Animal → Early human → Strong human. Reviews summarize earlier research.

At a glance

Latin name

Rhizophagus, Claroideoglomus

Rhizophagus, Claroideoglomus

Published in

Environmental Science and Pollution Research

Environmental Science and Pollution Research

Covered in Shroom Scan

Section

ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

As it ran in Shroom Scan

Microplastics Disrupt Soil Fungi

Microplastics Disrupt Soil Fungi

Different types and shapes of microplastics altered the makeup of beneficial mycorrhizal fungi in farm soils. While overall diversity stayed stable, the balance shifted—favors shifted toward stress-tolerant fungi like Rhizophagus and Claroideoglomus. Fibers and mixed plastic types caused the most disruption, suggesting plastic pollution quietly reshapes soil ecosystems.

Different types and shapes of microplastics altered the makeup of beneficial mycorrhizal fungi in farm soils. While overall diversity stayed stable, the balance shifted—favors shifted toward stress-tolerant fungi like Rhizophagus and Claroideoglomus. Fibers and mixed plastic types caused the most disruption, suggesting plastic pollution quietly reshapes soil ecosystems.

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