Although microplastic pollution has been recognized as one of the major environmental challenges of the 21st century, its toxicological impact on crops, especially vegetables, has attracted limited scientific attention until recently. Vegetables represent a key component of the human diet, making any potential contamination of great importance for food safety. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have been conducted to investigate the interactions between microplastics and vegetable crops. This review aims to synthesize the current knowledge on the sources of microplastics in agroecosystems, the mechanisms of uptake and translocation in plants, and the physiological and biochemical responses induced by micro- and nanoplastics. This work aims to improve the scientific basis for assessing the risk of microplastic contamination by identifying gaps in current understanding and suggesting future research directions.

Although microplastic pollution has been recognized as one of the major environmental challenges of the 21st century, its toxicological impact on crops, especially vegetables, has until recently attracted limited scientific attention. Vegetables represent a key component of the human diet, making any potential contamination highly relevant to food safety. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have begun to investigate the interactions between microplastics and vegetable crops. This review aims to collect the current knowledge on the sources of microplastics in agroecosystems, the mechanisms of uptake and translocation in plants, and the physiological and biochemical responses induced by micro- and nanoplastics. This work aims to improve the scientific basis for assessing the risk of microplastic contamination by identifying gaps in current understanding and suggesting future research directions.

Soil and plant covering methods offer sustainable agricultural benefits by improving soil health, water use efficiency, and reducing chemical inputs. A three-year split-plot experiment (2019–2021) evaluated the impact of various covering techniques on early potato production using two varieties (Cleopatra and Riviera). Treatments included control, plastic mulch, agrotextile, low tunnels, and their combinations. The study assessed stem number, number of tubers per plant (including per stem), average tuber mass, tuber mass per plant, and tuber yield. Results demonstrate the significant positive impact of covering methods on early potato yield. The combination of agrotextile and low tunnels resulted in the highest increases, improving key yield components like tuber number and mass per plant. While varietal differences existed, the covering methods’ influence was paramount. These findings offer a basis for optimizing early potato production for higher yields and quality. Future research should investigate the economic viability of these methods and explore organic alternatives to plastic coverings for sustainable agriculture.

Potatoes hold a significant position as one of the most important crops. Their value lies not only in their nutritional composition but also in their function as raw materials for various processing purposes. Furthermore, the cultivation of early potatoes carries considerable agrotechnical importance due to their ability to serve as the initial crop in intensive crop rotation, optimizing the utilization of agricultural soil. The primary objective of its production is to reach a consistent and high yield of premium quality. Additionally, the aim is to enter the market as early as possible and maximize profitability. To achieve these goals, producers utilize specific agrotechnical measures such as mulching and plant covering to ensure earlier and safer production, thus maximizing profits. Our research aimed to determine the impact of different agrotechnical measures (biodegradable mulching, agrotextile, low tunnel) on the chemical composition of early potato tubers. A three-year field experiment was managed in Begeč with two early potato cultivars, Cleopatra and Riviera. The tested agrotechnical measures significantly influenced the quality of early potatoes, hence the increase in the content of dry matter, starch, vitamin C, cellulose, and ash in the tubers and on reduction of sugar and nitrate content.