Smart Carbon Nanomaterials and Their Effect on the Antioxidant System of Plants

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are allotropes of carbon having a diameter in the nanometer range. The carbon nanotubes are differentiated by the design of graphite during its creation process. Smart carbon nanomaterials include carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with graphene, fullerene, carbon quantum dots (CDs), and mesoporous carbon nanomaterials (CNMs), which affect plant growth. CNMs have been shown to penetrate seed coatings, enter plant cells, and shift to various parts of the plant. Exposure reduces seed germination, root growth, and root architecture. CN inhibits seeds’ growth and alters plants’ genetic, biochemical, molecular, nutritional, and genetic levels. Using carbon-based nanomaterials is an ideal way to promote resistance to different stress levels in tomatoes and other crops. Antioxidants are part of the plant antioxidant defense system and are regarded as proteins. CNMs, such as carbon nanotubes, are known to induce the formation of antioxidant enzymes that produce protein accumulation. All these aspects have been thoroughly reviewed in this chapter, focusing on the recent updates on the role of CNMs in preventing or delaying plant growth. Concluding remarks have been added to propose future directions of research on the CNM plants interaction and also to sound a warning on the use of CNMs in agriculture.