Abstract
As plastic use shifts from non-degradable to biodegradable materials, the effects of biodegradable plastic fragments on crop physiology remain unclear. This study investigated how biodegradable plastic fragments influence maize development, transpiration, and defense signaling. Among five plastic types tested, poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polycaprolactone (PCL), polylactic acid (PLA), and thermoplastic starch (TPS). PBAT and TPS showed the most significant effects and were selected for further oxylipin analysis. Results indicate that biodegradable plastic fragments can alter oxylipin signaling pathways in subtle but meaningful ways, suggesting that these materials are not inherently risk-free alternatives to conventional plastics.
Publication Date
8-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Student Type
Graduate
Degree Name
Environmental Science (MS)
College
College of Science
Advisor
Eli Borrego
Advisor/Committee Member
Christy Tyler
Advisor/Committee Member
Carlos Diaz-Acosta
Recommended Citation
Hampton, Ulysses, "Analyzing the effects of biodegradable plastic fragments on maize development and defense signaling" (2026). Thesis. Rochester Institute of Technology. Accessed from
https://repository.rit.edu/theses/12714
Campus
RIT – Main Campus
