Greater Translocation of DBP and Root Retention of DEHP Both Disrupt Fumaric Acid and L-Malic Acid Metabolism in Wheat ( <i>Triticum aestivum</i> L.)

Plasticizer contamination in irrigation water poses a potential threat to crop health and food safety. This study evaluated the residue behavior and physiological effects of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) on wheat (<i>Triticum aestivum</i> L.) across three growth stages. DBP showed higher translocation from roots to shoots, whereas DEHP tended to accumulate in roots and soil. Low concentrations promoted wheat growth, while higher concentrations suppressed wheat growth and thousand-grain weights. Metabolomics revealed that both plasticizers significantly disrupted the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, particularly through the downregulation of L-malic acid and fumaric acid during early stages. KEGG enrichment showed alterations in energy metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, and oxidative phosphorylation. These findings suggest that phthalate esters can be taken up and metabolized by wheat, influencing growth and metabolism, and highlight the need for monitoring plasticizer contamination in agricultural water.