Selective photosynthetically active nanozymes alleviate crops cold stress via exclusively enhancing root proliferation

Root proliferation is in high demand to agricultural development, especially to the overwintering crops, the exclusive growth of root is beneficial to alleviate cold damage. Herein, the unique photosynthetically active nanozymes with bright yellow light and catalase-like activity is proposed to selectively promote crops’ root growth. As a demo, we adopted the yellow light carbon dots (YCDs) nanozyme to enhance root proliferation of kale-type overwintering oilseed rape under cold stress (10°C) by seed dressing. The supplemental yellow light transferred from YCDs nanozyme stimulated the up-regulation of relative amino acids related genes and biosynthesis, further facilitate root elongation. The excellent catalase-like activity of YCDs nanozyme could also effectively reduce the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels into homeostasis. As a result, the total root length and root tips of the oilseed rape increased by 124.95 % and 36.15 %, respectively, surpassing existing plant growth regulators including wood vinegar, melatonin, and even carbon dots (CDs). The exclusive enhancement of root proliferation by the selective photosynthetically active nanozymes offers a promising feasible approach for adapting crops against cold stress, significantly contribute to sustainable agriculture under the unexpected global climate change nowadays.