Thumbnail Image

State of research on the impacts of plastic pollution on soil health and crops

Year of publication 2025

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 100 p.

Author Nizzetto, L.; Hurley, R.; Collard, F.; Thompson, R.H.; Carcasci, G.;

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Book (series)

ISBN 978-92-5-139996-5

Series title Environment and Natural Resources Management Working Paper

Series number No. 111

To cite or share https://doi.org/10.4060/cd6407en

Synopsis (short abstract) This report provides a systematic review of scientific literature examining the impacts of plastic pollution on soil ecosystems, focusing on questions related to the occurrence, persistence, and effects of plastic residues in agricultural soils. Key findings indicate that plastic pollution alters soil physical, chemical, and microbiological properties, with observed impacts even at low concentrations. These changes affect soil structure, water retention, nutrient cycles, and microbial communities, thereby posing risks to plant health, crop yields, and ultimately, food quality. Furthermore, the report explores the uptake of plastic particles and associated chemicals by plants and livestock, raising concerns about potential implications for food safety. The review highlights critical knowledge gaps in understanding the long-term impacts of pollution derived from agricultural plastics, the environmental behavior of micro- and nanoplastics, and the safety of biodegradable alternatives.

Last updated 06/08/2025

Cite this content as:

Nizzetto, L., Hurley, R., Collard, F., Thompson, R.H. & Carcasci, G. 2025. State of research on the impacts of plastic pollution on soil health and crops. Environment and Natural Resources Management Working Paper, No. 111. Rome, FAO.

https://doi.org/10.4060/cd6407en

Read on Google Books and buy online

Language English

Also available in:
No results found.

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (stand-alone)
    Assessment of agricultural plastics and their sustainability: A call for action 2021
    Also available in:
    This report presents the results of a study on agricultural plastic products used globally in a range of different value chains. The study assessed the types and quantities of plastic products, their benefits and trade-offs. Sustainable alternative products or practices were identified for products assessed as having high potential to cause harm to human and ecosystem health or having poor end-of-life management. The report is based on data derived from peer-reviewed scientific papers, governmental and non-governmental organization’s research reports, as well as from industry experts, including relevant trade bodies. The report’s recommendations were verified during extensive consultation and review with FAO and external experts. The authors hope that the study will provide an impetus for discussion about the use of agricultural plastics, their benefits and trade-offs, and ultimately stimulate action to reduce their potential for harm to human health and the environment.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Booklet
    Nuclear and isotopic techniques to assess the fate and impacts of plastic pollution on soil ecosystems and the environment 2024
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    Plastics (Ps) are widely used by people, and their production has increased from 1.7 million metric tonnes in 1950 to 359 million metric tonnes in 2018. The production, demand, and waste of plastics and microplastics (MPs, plastic particles <5 mm in size) have grown exponentially in the last century. However, despite their benefits to society, most plastics end up on land and in the soil (long-term sink), degrading into MP before entering the marine environment. The current conventional and isotopic methods, their advantages and disadvantages are discussed in this document. This document focuses on the methodologies that contribute to comprehensive monitoring (fate and dynamics) and assessment of the impacts of plastic on soil fauna, that eventually lead to the development of mitigation strategies, as well as for evaluating the effectiveness of such measures. The cost–benefit and cost–effectivity analyses are not discussed in this technical paper. Neither does the paper touch on risk management approaches, such as hazard identification, exposure assessment, toxicological assessments, and the overall risk assessment.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (stand-alone)
    Understanding the role of ruminant systems on greenhouse gas emissions and soil health in selected Central Asian countries
    An assessment of ruminant systems and grassland soils in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan
    2021
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    Like many other economies in transition, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan face the dual challenge of promoting development and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and ruminant systems are central for achieving both goals. Given the important economic, nutritional and environmental roles that ruminant systems play in Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, we conducted a GHG assessment (based on Tier 2 methodology according 2006 IPCC Guidelines) to understand the role of ruminants and grasslands in emissions and soil organic carbon sequestration in the region. This study found that enteric methane and manure management are the predominant sources of emissions from cattle systems; however, the study found that regions with high GHG emissions from the cattle systems also had the highest soil carbon stocks. This is mainly due to the high apportion of carbon into the soil from manure and organic amendments. Thus, in these regions, tailored practices could likely reduce GHG emissions through practices that can increase organic carbon storage. This project was the first step in understanding the role of ruminants through advanced GHG accounting methods and serve as a basis for these countries to take on larger climate investment projects and catalyse climate action through sustainable livestock development.
Show more

Users also downloaded

Showing related downloaded files

No results found.