Provided is a carbon-based functional material (simply as FCN or FCN material) and applications thereof. The carbon-based functional material consists of three elements, namely carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen, having sp2 carbons as the backbone and functional groups R formed on the surface and/or periphery of a carbon backbone substrate, the R functional groups being a combination of groups such as a hydroxyl, carboxyl, ether bond, epoxy, carbonyl, aldehyde, ester, and alkyl. The carbon-based functional material can have interactive effects with plants, microorganisms, and soil environments, provides the function of inducing or regulating biosynthesis and metabolic pathways, also can serve as a carrier for an organically catalyzed synthesis and an intermediate material for biosynthesis, and be prepared as a plant enzyme activating agent and catalyst, a chemical fertilizer additive, a microorganism culturing composition, a soil conditioner, and is broadly applicable in the fields of agricultural production and the environment.
