Enhancing growth, yield and quality traits of onion (Allium cepa L.) through humic acid and sulphur nanoparticle applications
1Department of Horticulture, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab-144411, India. 2Department of Horticulture (Vegetable Science), Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour-813210, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India. Corresponding e-mail: vishal.ambro@gmail.com; vishal.26759@lpu.co.in
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2025.v27i04.107
A field experiment was conducted under Punjab (India) conditions, during 2023-24, to analyze the effect of foliar application of sulphur nanoparticles (SNPs) and humic acid (HA) on onion growth, yield and quality. Six treatments consisting of a control (water spray), single applications of SNPs (20 ppm) and HA (500 or 1000 ppm), and their combinations and applied at 30 and 60 days after transplanting with a randomized block design with three replications. Results indicated that SNPs and HA had a remarkable effect (P < 0.05) on promoting plant growth, bulb yield, and quality properties compared to the control. HA (1000 ppm) with SNPs (20 ppm) combination improved growth vigour, whereas HA (500 ppm) with SNPs (20 ppm) resulted in better enhancements for bulb yield and quality factors, including bulb weight, size, and total soluble solids. These results indicate that the application of foliar-based humic acid and sulphur nanoparticles could effectively improve onion productivity and quality.
