A team of Chinese biologists has unveiled an innovative carbon nanomaterial that could change the way we enhance plant growth. Developed by researchers at the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, this breakthrough material is synthesized from agricultural waste biomass such as straw, leaves, and weeds.
The key innovation lies in the material’s ability to convert ultraviolet light—which plants normally cannot absorb—and inefficiently absorbed green light into red light, which plants can use more effectively. By doing so, it not only provides additional electrons for the photosynthetic electron transport chain, but also improves overall photosynthesis efficiency.
In a series of experiments, researchers introduced the material into the liquid culture medium of cyanobacteria and directly sprayed it on plants. The results were impressive: cyanobacteria showed a 2.4-fold increase in CO2 fixation rate and a 2.2-fold boost in glycerol production, while the biomass of the Arabidopsis plant increased by 1.8 times. Early trials with duckweed, peanuts, corn, and soybeans have also shown promising growth enhancements.
Offering the dual benefits of low cost and high biocompatibility, this carbon-based nanomaterial presents exciting prospects for agricultural production and solar-powered biomanufacturing. With plans for further field experiments, the research team is optimistic about its potential to revolutionize crop cultivation and agricultural efficiency.
Reference(s):
Chinese biologists develop nanomaterial to boost plant photosynthesis
cgtn.com
