Changes in Soil Properties Under the Influence of Microplastics in Plastic and Open Field Production in Three Serbian Valleys

Crop production in plastic greenhouses is one of the major sources of plastic pollution worldwide. The main hypothesis of this study is that the regular use of mulch film in greenhouses leads to the cumulative accumulation of microplastic particles (MPs) in the soil, which ultimately leads to change...

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Main Authors: Elmira Saljnikov, Tara Grujić, Marina Jovković, Veljko Perović, Dragan Čakmak, Aigul Zhapparova, Vesela Radović, Slobodan Stefanović, Vladimir Miladinović, Slađan Stanković, Žaklina Marjanović, Sayagul Kenzhegulova, Aigul Tleppayeva, Gulya Kunypiyaeva, Slobodan Krnjajić
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Horticulturae
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/3/305
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author Elmira Saljnikov
Tara Grujić
Marina Jovković
Veljko Perović
Dragan Čakmak
Aigul Zhapparova
Vesela Radović
Slobodan Stefanović
Vladimir Miladinović
Slađan Stanković
Žaklina Marjanović
Sayagul Kenzhegulova
Aigul Tleppayeva
Gulya Kunypiyaeva
Slobodan Krnjajić
author_facet Elmira Saljnikov
Tara Grujić
Marina Jovković
Veljko Perović
Dragan Čakmak
Aigul Zhapparova
Vesela Radović
Slobodan Stefanović
Vladimir Miladinović
Slađan Stanković
Žaklina Marjanović
Sayagul Kenzhegulova
Aigul Tleppayeva
Gulya Kunypiyaeva
Slobodan Krnjajić
author_sort Elmira Saljnikov
collection DOAJ
description Crop production in plastic greenhouses is one of the major sources of plastic pollution worldwide. The main hypothesis of this study is that the regular use of mulch film in greenhouses leads to the cumulative accumulation of microplastic particles (MPs) in the soil, which ultimately leads to changes in the soil properties. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to identify the possible changes in the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil in greenhouses in three regions of Serbia. The following chemical parameters were determined: electrical conductivity, soil acidity, cation exchange capacity (CEC), total carbon (TC) and nitrogen (TN) content, plant-available phosphorus and potassium content, and trace element content. The following physical parameters were determined: particle size distribution, volumetric mass, specific mass, and porosity; the biological parameters that were determined were microbial respiration and labile carbon. The obtained data were processed using network analysis (NA) to identify the complex relationships between MP content and soil parameters. The NA results support the main findings that the presence of microplastics leads to the destruction of soil structure, which reduces bulk density and increases soil porosity. A strong positive correlation of MPs with soil particles < 0.02 mm and a negative correlation with CEC were found. In the Danube Valley, soil respiration was 78% higher in the open ground compared to a plastic greenhouse. The results contribute to a better understanding of the influence of MPs on soil properties and its ecological functions.
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spelling doaj-art-5a2ed1b68c6143419c0ac83a5c8166722025-08-20T02:42:31ZengMDPI AGHorticulturae2311-75242025-03-0111330510.3390/horticulturae11030305Changes in Soil Properties Under the Influence of Microplastics in Plastic and Open Field Production in Three Serbian ValleysElmira Saljnikov0Tara Grujić1Marina Jovković2Veljko Perović3Dragan Čakmak4Aigul Zhapparova5Vesela Radović6Slobodan Stefanović7Vladimir Miladinović8Slađan Stanković9Žaklina Marjanović10Sayagul Kenzhegulova11Aigul Tleppayeva12Gulya Kunypiyaeva13Slobodan Krnjajić14Institute of Multidisciplinary Research, University of Belgrade, Kneza Viseslava 1, 11030 Belgrade, SerbiaInstitute of Soil Science, Teodora Drajzera 7, 11000 Belgrade, SerbiaInstitute of Soil Science, Teodora Drajzera 7, 11000 Belgrade, SerbiaInstitute for Biological Research “Sinisa Stankovic”, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11108 Belgrade, SerbiaInstitute for Biological Research “Sinisa Stankovic”, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11108 Belgrade, SerbiaFaculty of Agrobiology, Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Abai Avenue 8, Almaty 050010, KazakhstanInstitute of Multidisciplinary Research, University of Belgrade, Kneza Viseslava 1, 11030 Belgrade, SerbiaFaculty for Applied Ecology “Futura”, Metropolitan University, Požeška 53a, 11000 Belgrade, SerbiaInstitute for Vegetable Crops Smederevska Palanka, Karađorđeva 71, 11420 Smederevska Palanka, SerbiaInstitute for Science Application in Agriculture, Blvd. Despota Stefana 68b, 11000 Belgrade, SerbiaInstitute of Multidisciplinary Research, University of Belgrade, Kneza Viseslava 1, 11030 Belgrade, SerbiaFaculty of Agronomy, Saken Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University, Zhenis Ave. 62, Astana 010000, KazakhstanFaculty of Agronomy, Saken Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University, Zhenis Ave. 62, Astana 010000, KazakhstanKazakh Research Institute of Agriculture and Plant Growing, Erlepesova 1, Almalybak Vill., Karasai Dist., Almaty 040909, KazakhstanInstitute of Multidisciplinary Research, University of Belgrade, Kneza Viseslava 1, 11030 Belgrade, SerbiaCrop production in plastic greenhouses is one of the major sources of plastic pollution worldwide. The main hypothesis of this study is that the regular use of mulch film in greenhouses leads to the cumulative accumulation of microplastic particles (MPs) in the soil, which ultimately leads to changes in the soil properties. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to identify the possible changes in the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil in greenhouses in three regions of Serbia. The following chemical parameters were determined: electrical conductivity, soil acidity, cation exchange capacity (CEC), total carbon (TC) and nitrogen (TN) content, plant-available phosphorus and potassium content, and trace element content. The following physical parameters were determined: particle size distribution, volumetric mass, specific mass, and porosity; the biological parameters that were determined were microbial respiration and labile carbon. The obtained data were processed using network analysis (NA) to identify the complex relationships between MP content and soil parameters. The NA results support the main findings that the presence of microplastics leads to the destruction of soil structure, which reduces bulk density and increases soil porosity. A strong positive correlation of MPs with soil particles < 0.02 mm and a negative correlation with CEC were found. In the Danube Valley, soil respiration was 78% higher in the open ground compared to a plastic greenhouse. The results contribute to a better understanding of the influence of MPs on soil properties and its ecological functions.https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/3/305microplasticsplasticulturemulchinglabile carbonsoil propertiesnetwork analysis
spellingShingle Elmira Saljnikov
Tara Grujić
Marina Jovković
Veljko Perović
Dragan Čakmak
Aigul Zhapparova
Vesela Radović
Slobodan Stefanović
Vladimir Miladinović
Slađan Stanković
Žaklina Marjanović
Sayagul Kenzhegulova
Aigul Tleppayeva
Gulya Kunypiyaeva
Slobodan Krnjajić
Changes in Soil Properties Under the Influence of Microplastics in Plastic and Open Field Production in Three Serbian Valleys
Horticulturae
microplastics
plasticulture
mulching
labile carbon
soil properties
network analysis
title Changes in Soil Properties Under the Influence of Microplastics in Plastic and Open Field Production in Three Serbian Valleys
title_full Changes in Soil Properties Under the Influence of Microplastics in Plastic and Open Field Production in Three Serbian Valleys
title_fullStr Changes in Soil Properties Under the Influence of Microplastics in Plastic and Open Field Production in Three Serbian Valleys
title_full_unstemmed Changes in Soil Properties Under the Influence of Microplastics in Plastic and Open Field Production in Three Serbian Valleys
title_short Changes in Soil Properties Under the Influence of Microplastics in Plastic and Open Field Production in Three Serbian Valleys
title_sort changes in soil properties under the influence of microplastics in plastic and open field production in three serbian valleys
topic microplastics
plasticulture
mulching
labile carbon
soil properties
network analysis
url https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/3/305
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