Crumb rubber microplastics alter soil water dynamics and plant biomass allocation in soybeans

A controlled greenhouse experiment evaluated the responses of soybean (Glycine max) plants grown in soil containing increasing proportions of crumb rubber (CR). Germination, plant growth, chlorophyll content, soil respiration, biomass production, water loss, root allocation, and elemental composition of soils and plant tissues were measured over a 21-day growth period.