Responses of Rhizosphere Soil Physicochemical Properties and Enzyme Activities to Polyethylene Microplastic Stress in Maize–Soybean Intercropping

Abstract

Agricultural microplastics threaten soil health, yet rhizosphere microecological responses to microplastic stress in intercropping systems remain unclear. We conducted a pot experiment using two cropping systems (maize monocropping and maize–soybean intercropping) and four polyethylene microplastic (PE-MP) levels (0%, 0.1%, 0.5%, 1.0%) to investigate rhizosphere physicochemical properties and enzyme activities. Results showed a significant interaction between PE-MPs and cropping systems (p < 0.05). In MM, 0.1% PE-MPs exacerbated soil acidification (pH −4.32%) and ionic fluctuations (electrical conductivity +11.12%). At ≥0.5%, PE-MPs significantly decreased total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus, induced abnormal available phosphorus accumulation (up to +98.4%), and dose-dependently inhibited β-glucosidase, urease, and catalase activities. Conversely, the IM system exhibited buffering capacity, maintaining pH, electrical conductivity, and TN stability, mitigating nutrient imbalances, and preserving key enzyme functions. PLS-SEM revealed enzyme-specific associations, suggesting that cropping systems and PE-MPs drive enzyme activities primarily by regulating TN and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Conclusively, maize–soybean intercropping can buffer microplastic-induced physicochemical degradations, indicating its potential as an agronomic measure to mitigate microplastic pollution, though field-scale validations remain necessary.