What are the broader implications of the study on the environmental impact of phthalate esters (PAEs) in agricultural soils?

The study explores the effects of phthalate esters (PAEs) and their metabolites on rice growth through the jasmonic acid signaling pathway. PAEs are prevalent in agricultural soils due to the widespread use of plastic films, leading to concerns about their impact on crop yield and quality.

From: "Transformation metabolites of phthalate esters (PAEs) inhibited rice growth through jasmonic acid signaling pathway", Environment International, Volume 201, July 2025, 109553

The study highlights that the hydrolyzed products of PAEs (mPAEs) can activate the JA signaling pathway in rice, leading to enhanced pest defense but reduced biomass and starch content. This mechanism was observed across several PAEs, with binding affinity correlating with the number of carbon atoms in their aliphatic chains. The findings suggest that PAEs in agricultural soils can negatively impact crop growth through the JA signaling pathway. The study recommends further investigation into the effects of PAEs across different crop types and growth stages, as well as the development of safer PAE alternatives to mitigate these impacts.