Sustainable nano-interventions to enhance crop yield, anthocyanin content, and marketability of onion (Allium cepa)

Our reliance on synthetic agrochemicals has detrimental effects on the environment and living species. To restore the ecological balance, we need to explore strategies to minimize agrochemicals’ use without compromising agricultural production. Nano-formulations help lower dosages of agrochemicals, leading to the emergence of nano-agriculture. Judicious use of nanomaterials for enhancing plant metabolic performance and yield remains a challenge. Here, we have achieved the same by root treatment of the onion crop with nanopyrite (FeS2) and further organic goat manure fertilizer application. We report an increase in yield through root treatment with nano-pyrite plus soil application of goat dropping (Test) as compared to the use of goat dropping alone (Control). The total biomass of the test sample was 4.75 kg (n=86), while control samples weighed 3.5 kg (n=86). The total bulb weight for the control and test was 2.6 kg and 3.6 kg, respectively. We observed a yield-boosting effect of root treatment with nanopyrite in onion. There is a significant increase in the anthocyanin content in test bulbs and flavonol content in test leaves. We have integrated two types of farming systems: organic and nano-agriculture to bolster the metabolic fitness of the onion (Allium cepa) and achieve sustainable food production.