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Research from the Stockbridge School of Agriculture on how microplastics inhibit crop growth was recently recognized by Environmental Science & Technology as a runner-up for the publication’s 2024 Best Paper Awards.

Stockbridge Director and University Distinguished Professor Baoshan Xing co-authored the paper, “Toxicity Mechanisms of Nanoplastics on Crop Growth, Interference of Phyllosphere Microbes, and Evidence for Foliar Penetration and Translocation,” with an international cast of colleagues. The paper details how the researchers found that positively charged nanoplastics caused more pronounced physiological effects, including growth inhibition, increased antioxidant enzyme activity and altered gene expression and metabolite composition in plants.

Microplastics even significantly changed the structure and composition of the phyllosphere microbial community. Positively charged nanoplastics showed greater ability to penetrate leaves and translocate to plant roots.

“Environmental, health and climate science must be objective and resilient,” says the award notification. “Science has the power to shape policy, protect human health and the environment, and drive real-world solutions. The work we recognize today does just that.”

This latest award for Xing's research recognizes its “excellence in rigor, novelty, and impact... offering new insights and practical pathways across a range of urgent topics: climate change, air and water quality, chemical fate and transport, and sustainable technologies.”

More information about the awards and a complete list of winners and runners-up can be found on the Environmental Science & Technology website.