Molybdenum Disulfide Nanoparticle Enhancing Photosynthesis in Solanum Lycopersicum

AbstractPhotosynthesis is a dynamic, complex, photo‐catalytic process that plays a key role in the growth and development of plants. It converts solar energy to chemical energy by precise organisation of light harvesting molecules in the photosynthetic system. Artificially imitating such systems is difficult due to the complexity of different cascades associated with photosynthesis. Nanoparticle mediated photocatalytic complexes have been shown to improve photosynthesis efficiency. Nanomaterials, such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) efficiently capture sunlight and assist in photosynthesis enhancement and nanosheets offer an additional advantage of increased surface area for sunlight harnessing. Foliar nutrition supplementation provides high yield potential to crops and their application in small doses improves the photosynthesis and elevates the plant performance. This study aims at mapping the efficiency of facile one‐pot hydrothermally synthesized MoS2 nanosheets in enhancing the photosynthetic ability of tomato plants. The treatments included the supplementation and absence of molybdenum source to plants. Physiological features (root length, shoot length, biomass), biochemical parameters (antioxidant activity), photosynthesis parameters (carbon assimilation, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, water use efficiency, chlorophyll and carotenoid content), uptake and translocation of MoS2 nanosheets were evaluated. Increases of 22.07 %, 49.95 % and 18.56 % in net photosynthetic rate, water use efficiency and chlorophyll content respectively, were observed in MoS2_Nano treated plants compared with untreated plants. These nanosheets improved plant photosynthesis parameters and enhanced photosystem efficiency without inducing phytotoxicity. This study demonstrates the promise of such approaches towards enhanced plant photosystem efficiency, leading to improved agricultural productivity, particularly in the regions with less sunlight.