Abstract
The revolutionary growth in the usage of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) in different areas have ultimately directed their discharge in the environment and further augmented the exposure of agricultural crops to these released particles. Therefore, the aim of current study is to evaluate the uptake, translocation and phytotoxicity of blue emissive CQDs on Allium sativum plant. The genotoxicity and cytotoxicity assessment of CQDs towards Allium sativum roots was estimated as function of three different concentrations. Considering the role of CQDs in promoting seed germination at 50 ppm concentration, a greenhouse experiment was performed to evaluate their effect on plant growth. Systematic investigations have shown the translocation of CQDs and their physiological response in terms of increased shoot length wherein P-CQDs exhibited more accumulation into Allium sativum parts. Our investigations unfold the opportunity to utilize Aegle marmelos fruit derived CQDs as a growth regulator in variety of other food plants.
•Aegle marmelos an eco-friendly precursor for CQDs synthesis.•Allium sativum cloves for genotoxic and cytotoxic studies.•Detailed effect of CQDs sizes were explored on toxicity profiling.•Hydroponic approach assisted field cultivation studies using CQDs.•Progressive increment in chlorophyll content upto 26.38 mg/L using CQDs.