Abstract
Numerous reports of graphene-family nanomaterials (GFNs) promoting plant growth have opened up a wide range of promising potential applications in agroforestry. However, several toxicity studies have raised growing concerns about the biosafety of GFNs. Although these studies have provided clues about the role of GFNs from different perspectives (such as plant physiology, biochemistry, cytology, and molecular biology), the mechanisms by which GFNs affect plant growth remain poorly understood. In particular, a systematic collection of data regarding differentially expressed genes in response to GFN treatment has not been conducted. We summarize here the fate and biological effects of GFNs in plants. We propose that soil environments may be conducive to the positive effects of GFNs but may be detrimental to the absorption of GFNs. Alterations in plant physiology, biochemistry, cytological structure, and gene expression in response to GFN treatment are discussed. Coincidentally, many changes from the morphological to biochemical scales, which are caused by GFNs treatment, such as affecting root growth, disrupting cell membrane structure, and altering antioxidant systems and hormone concentrations, can all be mapped to gene expression level. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the effects of GFNs on plant growth to promote their safe and efficient use.
Highlights
Graphene is a two-dimensional nanomaterial composed of one or more layers of carbon atoms with different modifications possible at the edges
Graphene-family nanomaterials (GFNs), and it is difficult to derive a unified description of GFN mechanisms of action from the current literature
The diversity of effects attributed to GFNs treatment in different studies is caused by differences in plant species, the physicochemical properties of
Summary
Graphene is a two-dimensional nanomaterial composed of one or more layers of carbon atoms with different modifications possible at the edges. In contrast to the long-term and in-depth research that has been conducted into GFN exposure in animals [2,11–15], studies into the effects of GFNs on plants are just beginning. There have been a large number of experiments related to the bioeffects of GFNs, the results of different studies are inconsistent, which has hindered the use of GFNs in the fields of agriculture and forestry. Due to limitations in the depth of published research, the existing reviews summarize the morphological, cytological, physiological, and biochemical effects [10,16,19,21–24] without addressing alterations in gene expression. We summarize the fate of GFNs in plants and the effects of GFNs on plant growth phenotypes from the morphological to molecular scales. This review presents a comprehensive picture of the bioeffects of GFNs to pave the way for more efficient use
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