Scientists in Arkansas believe carbon nanotubes (CNTs) could have benefits for agriculture.
Scientific research is already underway to use nanoparticles in ‘nano-agriculture’ to improve the productivity of plants for food, fuel, and other uses.
Mariya Khodakovskaya, Alexandru Biris and their colleagues have reported the first evidence that CNTs penetrate the hard outer coating of seeds with beneficial effects. Nanotube-exposed seeds sprouted up to two times faster than control seeds and weighed more than twice as much; possibly because nanotubes boost water uptake.
“This observed positive effect of CNTs on the seed germination could have significant economic importance for agriculture, horticulture, and the energy sector, such as for production of biofuels,” the scientists added.
