Fluorescent carbon dot as an optical amplifier in modern agriculture

The use of nanomaterials, which is developing as a revolution in various industries, can also be applied to improve agriculture's resiliency and sustainability. Nanomaterials' small sizes <100 nm and exceptional physicochemical properties allow them to diffuse into the plant vasculature and pass through biological barriers to perform their functions in the plant. Fluorescent carbon dots (CDs), a new type of carbon nanomaterials with outstanding ultraviolet (UV) absorption, coordinated fluorescence, good biocompatibility, substantial aqueous solubility, low cost, and precise manufacturing, have recently been shown to boost plant growth and photosynthesis. In this review, we will summarize the applications of CDs in modern agriculture as an optical amplifier based on the CDs' exposure methods to plants with soil cultivation, hydroponic cultivation, foliar feeding, and light-harvesting film. Finally, the mechanism, challenges, and future research direction of this field are described in brief.