Polymeric Composites: A Promising Tool for Enhancing Photosyntheticy Efficiency of Crops

Abstract

The demand for food continuously increased with increasing the population globally. Significant effort has been made to improve the productivity of the crops using genetic engineering, breeding, and improving agriculture practices. Usually, crops can absorb and use light to provide nutrition to crops. However, the negative impact of climate changes on agriculture remains a concern. In this context, emerging nanomaterials might be a strategic tool that increases the use of the light source. Carbon-based nanomaterials (CBNMs), mainly carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon nanofibers (CNFs), graphene, graphene oxide (GO), and fullerenes, are extensively used for improving the yield of crops (plant growth and development) by increasing photosynthetic efficiency. Moreover, incorporating metal and polymers within the CBNMs might improve photosynthetic efficiency, thereby developing and growing the crops. It is considered a unique tool in improving the nutrient uptake and translocation to achieve proper growth of plants in agroecosystem and potential application in crop improvement.