Photosynthesis and crop productivity are enhanced by glucose‐functionalised carbon dots

Tom Swift; Daniel  Fagan; David Benito-Alifonso; Stephen A Hill; Marian L Yallop; Tracy Lawson; Thomas A A Oliver; M C Galan; Heather M Whitney

doi:10.1101/826628

Photosynthesis and crop productivity are enhanced by glucose‐functionalised carbon dots

Tom Swift, Daniel Fagan, David Benito-Alifonso, Stephen A Hill, Marian L Yallop, Tracy Lawson, Thomas A A Oliver, M C Galan^*, Heather M Whitney^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article (Academic Journal) › peer-review

58 Citations (Scopus)

237 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

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 the in planta use of carbon-based nanoparticles produced by low-cost renewable routes that are bioavailable to mature plants. Uptake of these functionalised nanoparticles directly from the soil improves photosynthesis and also increases crop production.

We show for the first time that glucose functionalisation enhances nanoparticle uptake, photoprotection and pigment production, unlocking enhanced yields. This was demonstrated in Triticum aestivum ‘Apogee’ (dwarf bread wheat) and resulted 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.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	783-790
Journal	New Phytologist
Volume	229
Issue number	2
Early online date	12 Oct 2020
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1101/826628 https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.16886
Publication status	Published - 1 Jan 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
©2020 The Authors New Phytologist ©2020 New Phytologist Trust

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 2 Zero Hunger
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

Research Groups and Themes

Organic & Biological
Physical & Theoretical

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10.1101/826628
10.1111/nph.16886Licence: CC BY

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Multimodal characterisation of engineered nanomaterials in the environment.
Scott, T. B. (Principal Investigator)
15/11/15 → 14/11/19
Project: Research, Parent
GLYCO-TOOLS: Bio-Inspire Tools for Glycoscience - ERC
Galan, M. C. (Principal Investigator)
1/07/15 → 31/12/20
Project: Research
Reworking of Novel tools for Glycoscience
Galan, M. C. (Principal Investigator)
31/03/12 → 30/08/17
Project: Research

Cite this

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title = "Photosynthesis and crop productivity are enhanced by glucose‐functionalised carbon dots",

abstract = "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 the in planta use of carbon-based nanoparticles produced by low-cost renewable routes that are bioavailable to mature plants. Uptake of these functionalised nanoparticles directly from the soil improves photosynthesis and also increases crop production. We show for the first time that glucose functionalisation enhances nanoparticle uptake, photoprotection and pigment production, unlocking enhanced yields. This was demonstrated in Triticum aestivum {\textquoteleft}Apogee{\textquoteright} (dwarf bread wheat) and resulted 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.",

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note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright}2020 The Authors New Phytologist {\textcopyright}2020 New Phytologist Trust",

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AU - Benito-Alifonso, David

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AU - Lawson, Tracy

AU - Oliver, Thomas A A

AU - Galan, M C

AU - Whitney, Heather M

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Photosynthesis and crop productivity are enhanced by glucose‐functionalised carbon dots

Abstract

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

Research Groups and Themes

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Projects

Multimodal characterisation of engineered nanomaterials in the environment.

GLYCO-TOOLS: Bio-Inspire Tools for Glycoscience - ERC

Reworking of Novel tools for Glycoscience

Cite this