Silicon quantum dots

Boosts yield and N fixation

A nanomaterial that simultaneously enhances soybean photosynthesis and biological nitrogen fixation, leading to improved yield and grain quality.

Shen, Xiang · Sun, Li · Yanan, Zhou · Chen, Yinglong · Yang, Zhongxue · Wang, Dandan · Li, Peiqiang · Xie, Zhihong

Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 2026

Specifications

RuBisCO activity increase

{'zh': '15.88', 'en': '15.88'} %

Soluble sugar accumulation increase

{'zh': '35.79', 'en': '35.79'} %

Nitrogenase activity increase

{'zh': '45.93', 'en': '45.93'} %

100-grain weight increase

{'zh': '14.95', 'en': '14.95'} %

Advantages

Simultaneous photosynthesis and N fixation

SiQDs raised RuBisCO activity and nitrogenase activity simultaneously, enhancing coordination of carbon and nitrogen metabolism.

Shifts rhizosphere microbiome

Altered rhizosphere microbial community structure and predicted functions related to carbon and nitrogen cycling, consistent with increased soil inorganic nitrogen and organic carbon.

Improves grain nutritional quality

In addition to yield, grain nutritional quality was also enhanced.

Applications

• Soybean cultivation：Directly increases yield and grain quality in soybean production
• Nano-enabled agriculture：Uses nanomaterials to coordinate photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation
• Biological nitrogen fixation：Significantly enhances nitrogenase activity and nitrogen transporter gene expression
• Crop yield enhancement：Supports yield formation via rhizosphere microbiome improvement