# Effect of Foliarly Applied Orange Carbon Dots on Grain Yield and Quality in Maize Hybrids and Inbred Lines

## TL;DR

This study shows that applying orange carbon dots to maize improves grain yield and quality by boosting photosynthesis and biochemical compounds.

## Contribution

The study introduces the novel use of orange carbon dots to enhance maize grain yield and quality under field conditions.

## Key findings

- Grain yield increased significantly in hybrid ZP 4567 with 5 mg/L o-CDs treatment.
- Starch and oil content increased in treated hybrids and inbred lines.
- Photosynthetic parameters improved, but antioxidative capacity remained unchanged.

## Abstract

Maize is a key staple cereal, with its cultivation improved through genetics, denser planting, and greater fertilizer use. However, little is known about the effects of nanomaterials on maize’s grain quality. This study evaluated the effect of the foliar application of orange carbon dots (o-CDs) on maize’s growth, grain yield, and quality under typical field conditions. Two ZP maize hybrids and their inbred lines were tested. The results showed a gradual increase in grain yield for the hybrids, particularly ZP 4567, which responded significantly to a 5 mg/L treatment. Increased starch content was observed in both the hybrid ZP 4567 and the inbred line L56 L026 following treatment with o-CDs at concentrations of 1 mg/L and 5 mg/L. The significant increase in oil content was observed in inbred line L56 L026. Photosynthetic parameters and pigments were elevated in both hybrids after treatments, although the antioxidative capacity remained unchanged. The findings suggest that o-CDs positively influence grain yield and quality by enhancing photosynthesis and increasing the accumulation of key biochemical compounds. This study provides novel insights into the application of carbon nanoparticles in sustainable crop production.