Plastic micro-habitats in soil spark microbial battlegrounds, reshaping farm soil health

A scientific review finds microplastics in agricultural soils form plastisphere microhabitats that host dense microbial networks and virus-mediated gene exchange, potentially altering soil fertility and nutrient cycling. While researchers explore virus-assisted plastic degradation, long-term field data and biosafety considerations remain uncertain, underscoring the need for multidisciplinary study to understand and manage these tiny but influential ecosystems.