Functional carbon nanodots improve soil quality and tomato tolerance in saline-alkali soils

High salinity and alkalinity of saline-alkali soil lead to soil deterioration, the subsequent osmotic stress and ion toxicity inhibited crops growth and productivity. In this research, 8 mg kg(-1) and 16 mg kg(-1) functional carbon nanodots (FCNs) can alleviate the adverse effects of saline-alkali on tomato plant at both seedling and harvest stages, thanks to their up-regulation effects on soil properties and plant physiological processes. On one hand, FCNs stimulate the plant potential of tolerance to saline-alkali and disease resistance through triggering the defense response of antioxidant system, enhancing the osmotic adjustment, promoting the nutrient uptake, transportation and utilization, and up-regulating the photosynthesis, thereby improve tomato growth and productivity in saline-alkali soils. On the other hand, FCNs application contributes to the improvement of soil physicochemical properties and fertilities, as well as decline soil salinity and alkalinity, which are related to plant growth and fruit quality. This research also focuses on the dose-dependent effects of FCNs on their regulation effects and toxicity to tomato growth under stress or non-stress. These findings recommend that FCN5 could be applied as potential amendments to ameliorate the salinealkali soil and improve the tomato tolerance and productivity in the Yellow River Delta.

Automated summary

Functional carbon nanodots (FCNs) can alleviate the adverse effects of saline-alkali on tomato plants by up-regulating soil properties and plant physiological processes. They enhance plant tolerance to saline-alkali and disease resistance, improve nutrient uptake and photosynthesis, and contribute to the improvement of soil properties and fertilities.