Foliar spray of carbon quantum dots alleviated cadmium stress in Dracocephalum Moldavica by altering physiological and biochemical responses.

ABSTRACT: Carbon quantum dots (CQDs), characterized by their unique structure and remarkable fluorescence properties, could affect physiological efficiency under heavy metal stress by contributing to metal detoxification and ion homeostasis at the cellular level. Thus, a pot experiment with a factorial arrangement (in three replicates) was laid out to investigate the effects of foliar application of CQDs (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 mg L^-1) under various cadmium levels (0, 25 and 50 mg kg^-1) in Dracocephalum moldavica (dragonhead) plants. Foliar application of CQDs with 4 mg L⁻¹ concentration (optimal level) mitigated cadmium stress via an enhancement in vacuolar H+-ATPase activity and nutrient uptake. The CQDs also decreased salicylic acid content, reactive oxygen species generation, li

SUBMITTER: Ghassemi-Golezani K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12405533 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature