Selenium–nitrogen-co-doped carbon dots increase rice seedling growth and salt resistance

Abstract

Soil salinity seriously affects the utilization of farmland and threatens the crop production. Here, a selenium-nitrogen-co-doped carbon dots was developed, which increased rice seedling growth and alleviated its inhibition by salt stress by foliar spraying. The treatment activated Ca and jasmonic acid signaling pathways and increased iron homeostasis, antioxidant defense, and cell wall development of rice seedlings. It could be used to increase crop resistance to environmental stress.