Comparative studies on carbon dots applications in plant systems

Carbon dots (CDs), being one of the most lustrous members of the family of nanoparticles, have burnished their capability in the eyes of scientists for various high end applications in the field of science and technology. Benign process of synthesis, biocompatibility, facile operation toward surface engineering, low toxicity with water solubility have contrived CDs an emerging agent in the domain of biological applications, includes bioimaging, biosensing, drug delivery and photocatalysis. Complementing the efficacy of CDs in various biological applications, the present day research is pushing them as promoters in various plants as well as the cultivation process. Being a promoter, it must fulfill the criterion of providing low toxicity with excellence intake by plants, hold a mechanism of development of crops through various pathways which includes genetic modification, easier detection of diseases, controlling of quality of production, etc. In this article, we will critically analyze the capability and challenges of CDs with respect to other artificial materials, including carbon-based metamaterials, toward a better understanding over its implementation in futuristic agricultural projects to enhance the health of plants.