o:7269 Changes in Soil Properties Under the Influence of Microplastics in Plastic and Open Field Production in Three Serbian Valleys en Abstract: Crop production in plastic greenhouses is one of the major sources of plastic pollution worldwide. The main hypothesis of this study is that the regular use of mulch film in greenhouses leads to the cumulative accumulation of microplastic particles (MPs) in the soil, which ultimately leads to changes in the soil properties. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to identify the possible changes in the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil in greenhouses in three regions of Serbia. The following chemical parameters were determined: electrical conductivity, soil acidity, cation exchange capacity (CEC), total carbon (TC) and nitrogen (TN) content, plant-available phosphorus and potassium content, and trace element content. The following physical parameters were determined: particle size distribution, volumetric mass, specific mass, and porosity; the biological parameters that were determined were microbial respiration and labile carbon. The obtained data were processed using network analysis (NA) to identify the complex relationships between MP content and soil parameters. The NA results support the main findings that the presence of microplastics leads to the destruction of soil structure, which reduces bulk density and increases soil porosity. A strong positive correlation of MPs with soil particles < 0.02 mm and a negative correlation with CEC were found. In the Danube Valley, soil respiration was 78% higher in the open ground compared to a plastic greenhouse. The results contribute to a better understanding of the influence of MPs on soil properties and its ecological functions. microplastics; plasticulture; mulching; labile carbon; soil properties; network analysis 1552099 10.3390/ horticulturae11030305 2025-03-17T07:56:27.333Z 44 no 46 Elmira Saljnikov 46 Tara Grujic Institute of Soil Science 0000-0002-0122-6402 46 Marina Jovkovic Institute of Soil Science 0000-0001-7224-8556 46 Veljko Perovic 46 Dragan Cakmak 46 Aigul Zhapparova 46 Vesela Radovic 46 Slobodan Stefanovic 46 Vladimir Miladinovic 46 Sladjan Stankovic 46 Žaklina Marjanovic 46 Sayagul Kenzhegulova 46 Aigul Tleppayeva 46 Gulya Kunypiyaeva 46 Slobodan Krnjajic application/pdf 4317608 https://unilib.phaidrabg.rs/o:7269 no yes 1 70 92000001 71A05 Horticulturae 2025