Carbon Nanodots for Enhancing the Stress Resistance of Peanut Plants

Abstract

Herein, the effect of carbon nanodots (CDs) on the stress resistance of peanuts has been studied. It is found that the stress-resistance ability of peanut plants can be enhanced significantly when cultivated in CD aqueous solution with optimal concentration. Because of the increased stress-resistance ability, the growth of peanut plants can be boosted, and the output of the peanuts can be increased by about 9%. Confocal fluorescence images showed that the CDs can be transferred from the roots to leaves through the xylem vessels of the peanut plants. The existence of hydrophilic radical groups on the surface of CDs may result in largely retaining and slowly releasing micronutrients inside the xylem vessels of the peanuts, further guaranteeing the supply of essential nutrients required for peanuts and boosting the stress-resistance ability of the peanuts.