Abstract: Microplastics on crops, as well as the potential routes and genetic mechanisms involved. Agricultural soils are primarily contaminated with microplastics through local farming activities, including the utilization of plastic films in greenhouse cultivation, irrigation with surface and groundwater, and the application of sludge and organic fertilizers, among others. The movement of microplastics within the soil is intricately linked to their inherent properties and the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil, such as texture, pH, and organic matter content. Microplastics can infiltrate crops through both leaves and roots, traveling via apoplast and symplast pathways. The absorption and transport of microplastics within crops are influenced by factors such as the type, particle size, and concentration of microplastics, as well as the crop species. These microplastics hinder seed germination, disrupt photosynthesis, modify antioxidant enzyme activity, and influence gene expression in crops. Moreover, microplastics can indirectly hinder plant growth by altering soil physicochemical properties, including aggregate structure, water content, organic matter and mineral content, pH, and microbial community structure, and may also interact with other environmental factors to exert an impact on plants. Future research endeavors should focus on examining the morphological, degradation, and aging effects of microplastics, as well as their effects on a field scale, interactions with other pollutants, and the dynamic responses of soil microorganisms. Such investigations will furnish a scientific foundation for the sustainable development of agroecosystems.