Chinese biologists create nanomaterial that enhances plant photosynthesis
Chinese biologists have created a new nanomaterial aimed at enhancing plant photosynthesis. This innovative development may lead to improved plant growth and yield, providing benefits for agriculture and food production.
TroibNews 
A research team in China has created a carbon-based nanomaterial derived from agricultural waste biomass, which has the potential to enhance plant photosynthesis and improve crop growth.
In a recent study published in Communications Materials, researchers from the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Shanghai Jiao Tong University introduced carbon quantum dots, a nanomaterial synthesized from agricultural waste such as straw, leaves, and weeds, as reported by Science and Technology Daily on Monday.
The findings demonstrate that this new material is capable of converting ultraviolet light, which is not utilized by plants, and green light, which they absorb inefficiently, into red light that plants can absorb more effectively. Additionally, it stimulates electron excitation from absorbed photons, supplying extra electrons for the photosynthetic electron transport chain, thereby enhancing the efficiency of photosynthesis.
In their experimentation, the researchers incorporated the material into the liquid culture medium of cyanobacteria and also sprayed it directly on plants. The results indicated that the glycerol-producing cyanobacteria experienced a 2.4-fold increase in their CO2 fixation rate alongside a 2.2-fold growth in glycerol production. Furthermore, the biomass of the Arabidopsis plant was boosted by 1.8 times.
The study concludes that the material not only enhances photosynthetic efficiency and fosters plant growth but also boasts low costs and high biocompatibility, suggesting significant potential for future applications in agriculture and solar-powered biomanufacturing.
Initial experiments also indicate that this material can aid in the growth of various plants, including duckweed, peanuts, corn, and soybeans.
The research team intends to conduct further field experiments to explore its applications.
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
In a recent study published in Communications Materials, researchers from the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Shanghai Jiao Tong University introduced carbon quantum dots, a nanomaterial synthesized from agricultural waste such as straw, leaves, and weeds, as reported by Science and Technology Daily on Monday.
The findings demonstrate that this new material is capable of converting ultraviolet light, which is not utilized by plants, and green light, which they absorb inefficiently, into red light that plants can absorb more effectively. Additionally, it stimulates electron excitation from absorbed photons, supplying extra electrons for the photosynthetic electron transport chain, thereby enhancing the efficiency of photosynthesis.
In their experimentation, the researchers incorporated the material into the liquid culture medium of cyanobacteria and also sprayed it directly on plants. The results indicated that the glycerol-producing cyanobacteria experienced a 2.4-fold increase in their CO2 fixation rate alongside a 2.2-fold growth in glycerol production. Furthermore, the biomass of the Arabidopsis plant was boosted by 1.8 times.
The study concludes that the material not only enhances photosynthetic efficiency and fosters plant growth but also boasts low costs and high biocompatibility, suggesting significant potential for future applications in agriculture and solar-powered biomanufacturing.
Initial experiments also indicate that this material can aid in the growth of various plants, including duckweed, peanuts, corn, and soybeans.
The research team intends to conduct further field experiments to explore its applications.
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
