Transport Mechanism from Quantum Dots to Plant Systems

Abstract

AbstractThe applications of Quantum dots (QDs) in plants are increasing since the mechanism of their transportation is well understood. Depending upon the application, the plant may uptake QDs from soil or foliar parts. The interaction of QDs with plants depends upon many properties, including size, aggregation and surface blocking. QDs move into the plants by pore formation, endocytosis, plasmodesmata, ion channels, or carrier proteins. The transport of QDs from root to cells could takes place via apoplastic or symplastic pathways. The apoplastic pathway involves the movement through pores in the cell wall and membrane. The QDs also move through intercellular spaces, while in symplastic pathways the QDs reach from roots to cell via vascular bundle from source to sink. For transportation to the aerial part of the plants, QDs must enter the xylem vessel. The foliar application of the QDs depends on the size, adhesive properties and leaf surface. The majority of the plants have bifacial leaves with different adaxial and abaxial surfaces. The epicuticular waxes are more in quantity on the adaxial surface may hinder the uptake of QDs. The QDs applied on foliar parts enter the plant through lipophilic, hydrophilic, and glandular trichome, whereas the migration via lenticels is largely unknown. The most important pathway in foliar uptake takes place through stomata. The stomatal pore size is large enough for the uptake of the stomata. QDs are also used in delivering the fertilizer. Compared to biofertilizers in which microbes are used as carriers, QDs based nanofertilizer are easier to apply and exhibit minimum environmental problems.KeywordsApoplasticSymplasticTransportationRootsFoliar applicationQuantum dots