Carbon Nanodots for Crop Protection and Fertilizer Use in Agriculture

With the global population continuing to rise, food demand is expected to increase by 50–60% by 2050. However, the overuse of agrichemicals contributes to climate change and environmental degradation. To ensure food security sustainably, innovative alternatives are essential. Carbon nanodots (CNDs) have emerged as a promising solution, offering multiple benefits for crop productivity and environmental health. This review explores the strategic role of CNDs in agriculture, including their ability to enhance nutrient uptake, stimulate growth, and improve photosynthetic efficiency by facilitating light absorption and energy transfer to chloroplasts. CNDs can penetrate leaf cells, boost the performance of photosystem II (PSII) and RuBisCO enzyme activity, and upregulate genes related to hormone biosynthesis and transport. Their small size and functional surfaces enable efficient translocation within plant tissues. Furthermore, CNDs contribute to early detection and management of plant diseases and enhance tolerance to abiotic stress. Collectively, these attributes position CNDs as key agents in advancing sustainable agricultural practices.