Sunlight-sensitive carbon dots for plant immunity priming and pathogen defence
Erfeng Kou1, Zhongxu Luo1, Jingyi Ye1
1School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
Plant Biotechnology Journal
|March 16, 2025
Summary
Engineered carbon dots (CDs) generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) under sunlight to boost plant immunity and act as antifungal agents. This sustainable approach protects crops from pathogens without impacting yield or photosynthesis.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Materials Science
- Plant Pathology
Background:
- Global food production is threatened by pathogens, with conventional controls facing limitations like environmental contamination and resistance.
- Developing sustainable and effective plant protection strategies is crucial for food security.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer biodegradable, sunlight-sensitive carbon dots (CDs) for plant protection.
- To evaluate CDs as dual-purpose agents for priming plant immunity and as broad-spectrum antifungal agents.
Main Methods:
- Foliar application of CDs to induce ROS generation and activate plant cell wall-mediated immunity.
- Testing CDs' antifungal activity against various plant pathogens under simulated sunlight.
- Investigating the mechanism of CD-induced pathogen inhibition.
Main Results:
- CDs primed plant immune responses, enhancing resistance to pathogens like grey mould and late blight without affecting yield.
- CDs exhibited broad-spectrum antifungal activity, significantly inhibiting mycelium growth of P. capsici and B. cinerea.
- Mechanistic studies showed CDs damage pathogen hyphae and spores, disrupting their viability.
Conclusions:
- CDs offer a promising, eco-friendly strategy for sustainable crop protection.
- The dual action of CDs in boosting plant immunity and directly combating pathogens presents a novel approach for agriculture.
- CDs have potential for practical applications in maintaining crop yields and minimizing environmental impact.
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