Examination of the Impact of Biofertilizers Alongside Mineral Enrichments on the Development, Harvest, and Virtues of Onion

Title

Examination of the Impact of Biofertilizers Alongside Mineral Enrichments on the Development, Harvest, and Virtues of Onion

Author

1. Meeta Thakkar, Student, Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology, Bhubaneswar, India
2. Soumya Tripathy, Lecturer, Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology, Bhubaneswar, India

Abstract

The onion is an important crop because of its nutritional and economic benefits. The overuse of artificial fertilizers and the soil's deterioration make it challenging to increase onion output and quality sustainably. One potential strategy to improve crop yields and soil health is to combine biofertilizers with inorganic nutrients. The impact of mineral nutrients and biofertilizers on onion growth, yield, and quality parameters is investigated in this research.  All five treatments recommended dosage of fertilizer (RDF), biofertilizer alone, and biofertilizer with RDF and foliar micronutrient spray—were evaluated in field experiments using a randomized block design. Measurements were taken on growth metrics, leaf count, bulb diameter, total soluble solids, and pyruvic acid content, among other yield and quality factors.  When compared to the control group, treatments alone and the combination of biofertilizers and inorganic nutrients, plant development, yield, and quality were all markedly improved.  Research shows that using biofertilizers and mineral nutrients together is the best way to grow onions eventually since it boosts crop yields, soil health, and nutrient absorption.

Keywords

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that the integrated use of biofertilizers and mineral nutrients significantly improves onion growth, yield, and quality compared to individual treatments or controls. The highest growth parameters, yield, and quality attributes were recorded in T5 (RDF + Biofertilizer + Foliar Spray), indicating that combining biofertilizers with micronutrients and inorganic fertilizers provides the most balanced nutrient availability and uptake efficiency.

The findings highlight the following key benefits of biofertilizer and mineral nutrient integration:

• Enhanced root development and nutrient uptake efficiency.

• Increased bulb size, weight, and total yield.

• Improved biochemical quality, including higher TSS and pyruvic acid content.

• Reduced dependence on chemical fertilizers, contributing to sustainable agriculture and improved soil health.

The study recommends the combined application of RDF, biofertilizers, and foliar micronutrient spray as an optimal strategy for improving onion productivity and quality under similar agro-climatic conditions. Further research can focus on optimizing the biofertilizer strains and nutrient formulations for different soil types and environmental conditions.

Author Contrubution

All study-related tasks, from conception and design to data analysis and manuscript creation, were solely managed by the author.

Funding

This work did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or non-profit sectors for its research, authorship, or publication.

Conflict of Interest

All authors declare the absence of any conflicts of interest.

Data Sharing Statement

Not applicable.

Software And Tools Use

Not applicable.

Acknowledgements

I acknowledge the support and expertise of those who helped with this research and manuscript, and thank the peer reviewers for their valuable insights.