Tyre Wear Particles Found to Affect Microbial Soils and Vegetable Crops

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the Research Institute for Organic Agriculture (FiBL) have conducted an experiment to investigate the effects of tyre wear particles (TP) on plant-soil systems. The study found that TP can impact the microbial basis of the soil food web and specific processes related to soil nutrient and energy flow, ultimately affecting plant growth and health. The researchers added TP at various concentrations to a sandy loam soil and observed significant changes in soil microbial activity, enzyme function, and plant biomass. The findings suggest that reducing TP pollution is crucial to maintaining soil quality and ensuring the production of healthy food crops.

Key Takeaways:

  • Tyre wear particles (TP) can enter soils through various pathways and accumulate over time, affecting plant-soil systems.
  • The study found that exposure to 3% TP reduced root and shoot biomass by 35% and 23%, respectively, relative to the control.
  • Lower TP levels showed some stimulating effects on plant growth, while 3% TP addition increased plant copper and zinc concentrations but decreased plant nitrogen.
  • The research also observed a reduction in microbial biomass carbon (-20%) and an increase in the microbial metabolic quotient (+62%) in soils containing 3% TP.
  • The study concluded that TP can modulate microbial-mediated soil functions and performance of vegetable crops.
  • The research highlights the urgent need to implement measures that reduce TP pollution to safeguard soil quality.
  • Authors included D. Kundel, B. Stehle, M. Hammer, A. Fliessbach, M. Bigalke, and K. N. Nitzsche.
  • The study was peer-reviewed and published in Applied Soil Ecology.

Statistics:

  • 35% reduction in root biomass with 3% TP addition
  • 23% reduction in shoot biomass with 3% TP addition
  • 20% reduction in microbial biomass carbon with 3% TP addition
  • 62% increase in microbial metabolic quotient with 3% TP addition
  • 0-3% TP concentration range used in the experiment
  • Sandy loam soil used in the experiment
  • Lettuce and leek plants used in the experiment

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Reports from Research Institute for Organic Agriculture (FiBL) Add New Data to Findings in Vegetable Crops (Driving Soils To Change: Tyre Wear Particles Modulate Microbial-mediated Soil Functions and Performance of Vegetable Crops). Agriculture Week. October 30, 2025; p 261.
  • Driving Soils To Change: Tyre Wear Particles Modulate Microbial-mediated Soil Functions and Performance of Vegetable Crops. Applied Soil Ecology, 2025;214.
  • Research Institute for Organic Agriculture (FiBL). Soil Sciences Department. Ch-5070 Frick, Switzerland.
  • Elsevier. Applied Soil Ecology. Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands.