The article reviews the structural features and agricultural potential of carbon dots (CDs). CDs, known for their physical, chemical, and surface properties, have gained attention due to their good conductivity, low toxicity, environmental friendliness, and simple synthetic routes. The review highlights the applications of CDs in promoting plant growth, enhancing disease resistance, stress tolerance, and targeted transportation. CDs are composed of a nontoxic carbon core functionalized with various surface groups, which impart unique electron donor-acceptor and fluorescence properties. The synthesis strategies for CDs include top-down and bottom-up approaches, with raw materials that are readily available and often environmentally friendly. The structural features of CDs, such as size, surface functionalization, crystallinity, and heteroatom doping, significantly influence their properties. CDs have been shown to reduce abiotic stress, such as salinity and drought, and biotic stress, such as herbivore attack and pathogenic infection, in plants. They also serve as efficient sensors for detecting metabolites and pesticides in plant tissues. Additionally, CDs can be used for targeted transporter applications, such as delivering genetic material into plant cells. The review concludes by discussing the potential of CDs in nanofertilization to improve agricultural productivity while minimizing environmental pollution.The article reviews the structural features and agricultural potential of carbon dots (CDs). CDs, known for their physical, chemical, and surface properties, have gained attention due to their good conductivity, low toxicity, environmental friendliness, and simple synthetic routes. The review highlights the applications of CDs in promoting plant growth, enhancing disease resistance, stress tolerance, and targeted transportation. CDs are composed of a nontoxic carbon core functionalized with various surface groups, which impart unique electron donor-acceptor and fluorescence properties. The synthesis strategies for CDs include top-down and bottom-up approaches, with raw materials that are readily available and often environmentally friendly. The structural features of CDs, such as size, surface functionalization, crystallinity, and heteroatom doping, significantly influence their properties. CDs have been shown to reduce abiotic stress, such as salinity and drought, and biotic stress, such as herbivore attack and pathogenic infection, in plants. They also serve as efficient sensors for detecting metabolites and pesticides in plant tissues. Additionally, CDs can be used for targeted transporter applications, such as delivering genetic material into plant cells. The review concludes by discussing the potential of CDs in nanofertilization to improve agricultural productivity while minimizing environmental pollution.