Ligustrum lucidum-derived Carbon Dots Enhance Growth and Quality of Vegetable SweetPotato: A Green and Sustainable Agricultural Innovation
Ligustrum lucidum-derived carbon dots (LI-CDs) were synthesized and applied to sweetpotato Xucai 7. LI-CDs significantly promoted growth, photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, and antioxidant activity. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses showed activation of photosynthesis-related pathways and increased bioactive compounds. LI-CDs improved soil nutrient availability and slightly altered rhizosphere microbes without ecological harm. In LPS-induced mice, LI-CD-treated sweetpotatoes reduced inflammation and tissue damage. LI-CDs offer a safe, multifunctional nanomaterial for sustainable agriculture and health.