Carbon Nano Tubes (CNTs) as a Tool of Seed Quality Enhancement Using Nanopriming Approach

Abstract

Nano seed technology is a new platform with endless possibilities and impacts on applied agriculture and forestry research. The implementation of nanotechnology in seed research is in its infancy and needs more pace to meet the needs of current global demand. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are allotropes of carbon and engineered nanomaterials. Based on the number of concentric layers of rolled graphene sheets, they are classified into single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs) and multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs). CNTs exhibit both beneficial and toxic effects on plant species by altering the morphological and physiological properties of plant cells. In most of the studies, low concentrations of CNTs are considered safe. Therefore, there is plenty of room to use these cutting-edge technologies to alleviate seed dormancy, boost vigor, and solves the problem of slow growth in seed propagated species. This chapter summarizes the results of various studies investigating the effects of carbon nanotubes on seed viability, as well as seedling growth and biomass.