Carbon Nanotubes as Plant Growth Regulators: Impacts on Growth, Reproductive System, and Soil Microbial Community

Abstract The field of nanotechnology has gained increased attention and has quickly intensified over the years due to its unique properties and diverse applications in different fields of science and technology. Different kinds of nanomaterials and their applications have been introduced; however, among them, carbon-based nanomaterials, including graphite, diamond, fullerene, graphene, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), have been extensively studied. CNTs are of great importance due to their excellent optical, mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. Production, use, reuse, destruction, and transportation are major sources of CNTs in the environment. CNTs are widely used in plant sciences (phytonanotechnology), which alter conventional plant production systems, detoxify chemicals (pesticides and fertilizers), increase disease resistance, and act as plant growth regulators. This chapter mainly describes the role of CNTs in plant sciences and soil communities with reference to other parameters.