A biological evaluation and molecular docking insight on green synthesized graphene oxide nanoparticles mediated growth promotion in mungbean

•Graphene oxide nanoparticles were synthesized using trachyspermum ammi seeds.•Nanoparticles were physio-chemically characterized using different analytical methods.•Nanoparticles significantly increased the growth and yield aspects of mung bean plants.•Graphene oxide nanoparticles were effectively docked with some growth-related proteins of mung bean plants. In agriculture, the promotion of plant growth has been a worldwide challenge for growers. We have developed a nanomaterial-assisted green strategy in this study to accelerate plant growth. Although high concentrations of nanomaterials have been proven toxic to plants, it is demonstrated that low doses of graphene oxide (GO) can be used as a regulator tool to enhance plant growth and yield. Green synthesis of GO nanoparticles was performed using the extracts of Trachyspermum ammi. GO nanoparticles were amended in the growth media in different concentrations. Application of GO nanoparticles showed a positive effect on plant growth in terms of increasing the number of pods, the number of leaves, shoots, and roots (length, fresh and dry weight), and the number of root nodules per plant. Growth promotion with lower doses of GO NPs was found comparable to the control treatment that received recommended doses of N P K fertilizers. The positive effect of low doses of GO nanoparticles on the photosynthetic, physiological, and enzymatic parameters was also observed. Molecular docking analysis revealed that GO binds to different growth-related proteins rigidly showing binding energies of -9 to -16 kcal/mol. Docked conformational and interaction analysis revealed that GO can strongly bind with the different growth-related proteins. Based on these findings, we believe that bio-fabricated graphene oxide may be used as a strategy for accelerating plant growth resulting in increased yield.