Carbon-based nanomaterials elicit changes in physiology, gene expression, and epigenetics in exposed plants: A review

As the use of carbon-based nanomaterials (CNMs) in various consumer goods continues to rise, it is imperative that we accumulate a better understanding of their impact and fate in the environment. In particular, it is important to have an understanding of how these materials may affect plants as these organisms have both economic importance and an impact on human health. CNMs have exhibited both beneficial and toxic effects, as well as no effect, on plant growth and reproduction. Exposure to CNMs has also had an effect on oxidative stress, water channels, phytohormones, gene expression, and epigenetics. The present review briefly discusses the current understanding and knowledge gaps of how exposure to CNMs might lead to changes in plant growth and physiology by altering gene expressions and epigenomes.