RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Photosynthesis and crop productivity is enhanced by glucose-functionalized fluorescent carbon dots
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 826628
DO 10.1101/826628
A1 Swift, Thomas A.
A1 Fagan, Daniel
A1 Benito-Alifonso, David
A1 Hill, Stephen A.
A1 Yallop, Marian L.
A1 Oliver, Thomas A. A.
A1 Lawson, Tracy
A1 Galan, M. Carmen
A1 Whitney, Heather M.
YR 2019
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2019/11/01/826628.abstract
AB From global food security to textile production and biofuels, the demands currently made on plant photosynthetic productivity will continue to increase. Enhancing photosynthesis using designer, green and sustainable materials offers an attractive alternative to current genetic-based strategies and promising work with nanomaterials has recently started to emerge. Here we describe in planta use of carbon-based nanoparticles produced by low-cost renewable routes that are bioavailable to mature plants. Uptake of these functionalised nanoparticles from the soil improves photosynthesis and also increases crop production. We show for the first time that glucose-functionalization enhances nanoparticle uptake, photoprotection and pigment production, unlocking enhanced yields. This is demonstrated in Triticum aestivum ‘Apogee’ (dwarf bread wheat) and results in an 18% increase in grain yield. This establishes the viability of a functional nanomaterial to augment photosynthesis as a route to increased crop productivity.