Chinese scientists create nanomaterial that enhances plant photosynthesis
Chinese biologists have created a nanomaterial aimed at enhancing plant photosynthesis. This innovative development could significantly impact agricultural productivity and efficiency. The research focuses on the role of this nanomaterial in improving the photosynthetic process in plants, potentially leading to higher crop yields and better resource utilization.
TroibNews 
A research team from China has created a carbon-based nanomaterial derived from agricultural waste biomass, aiming to enhance plant photosynthesis and boost crop growth.
Their recent study, published in Communications Materials, details the work of scientists from the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. They developed carbon quantum dots, a nanomaterial synthesized from agricultural waste biomass like straw, leaves, and weeds, as reported by Science and Technology Daily.
The findings indicate that this innovative material can convert ultraviolet light, which plants cannot absorb, as well as green light, which is absorbed inefficiently, into red light, allowing for more effective absorption. Furthermore, it excites electrons from the absorbed photons, supplying additional electrons to the photosynthetic electron transport chain, thereby enhancing overall photosynthesis efficiency.
During the experimentation, the researchers either incorporated the material into the liquid culture medium of cyanobacteria or sprayed it directly onto plants. The results showed a 2.4-fold increase in the CO2 fixation rate and a 2.2-fold increase in glycerol production in the glycerol-producing cyanobacteria. Additionally, the biomass of the Arabidopsis plant increased by 1.8 times.
The study underscores the material's ability to enhance photosynthetic efficiency and promote plant growth, while also highlighting its advantages of being low-cost and highly biocompatible, which makes it a promising candidate for future agricultural production and solar-powered biomanufacturing.
Initial experiments suggest that the material also facilitates the growth of various plants, including duckweed, peanuts, corn, and soybeans.
The research team is planning to conduct further field experiments.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
Their recent study, published in Communications Materials, details the work of scientists from the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. They developed carbon quantum dots, a nanomaterial synthesized from agricultural waste biomass like straw, leaves, and weeds, as reported by Science and Technology Daily.
The findings indicate that this innovative material can convert ultraviolet light, which plants cannot absorb, as well as green light, which is absorbed inefficiently, into red light, allowing for more effective absorption. Furthermore, it excites electrons from the absorbed photons, supplying additional electrons to the photosynthetic electron transport chain, thereby enhancing overall photosynthesis efficiency.
During the experimentation, the researchers either incorporated the material into the liquid culture medium of cyanobacteria or sprayed it directly onto plants. The results showed a 2.4-fold increase in the CO2 fixation rate and a 2.2-fold increase in glycerol production in the glycerol-producing cyanobacteria. Additionally, the biomass of the Arabidopsis plant increased by 1.8 times.
The study underscores the material's ability to enhance photosynthetic efficiency and promote plant growth, while also highlighting its advantages of being low-cost and highly biocompatible, which makes it a promising candidate for future agricultural production and solar-powered biomanufacturing.
Initial experiments suggest that the material also facilitates the growth of various plants, including duckweed, peanuts, corn, and soybeans.
The research team is planning to conduct further field experiments.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
