Novel hydrated graphene ribbon unexpectedly promotes aged seed germination and root differentiation.
It is well known that graphene (G) induces nanotoxicity towards living organisms. Here, a novel and biocompatible hydrated graphene ribbon (HGR) unexpectedly promoted aged (two years) seed germination. HGR formed at the normal temperature and pressure (120 days hydration), presented 17.1% oxygen, 0.9% nitrogen groups, disorder-layer structure, with 0.38 nm thickness ribbon morphology. Interestingly, there were bulges around the edges of HGR. Compared to G and graphene oxide (GO), HGR increased seed germination by 15% root differentiation between 52 and 59% and enhanced resistance to oxidative stress. The metabonomics analysis discovered that HGR upregulated carbohydrate, amino acid, and fatty acids metabolism that determined secondary metabolism, nitrogen sequestration, cell membrane integrity, permeability, and oxidation resistance. Hexadecanoic acid as a biomarker promoted root differentiation and increased the germination rate. Our discovery is a novel HGR that promotes aged seed germination, illustrates metabolic specificity among graphene-based materials, and inspires innovative concepts in the regulation of seed development.
Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China.
Xiangang
X
Hu
Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China.
Qixing
Q
Zhou
D017360:Arabidopsis; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D018525:Germination / Q000187:drug effects*; D006108:Graphite / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D012639:Seeds / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development
D006108:Graphite