Enhancing Anticancer Properties of Organosulfur Compounds in Allium cepa through Nitrogen, Sulfur, and Potassium Fortification in Barren Lands

Background: To fortify nutrients depleting loam being waste under murkiness and use it for enhancing anticancer food rationing in the human body, two onions (Allium cepa) cultivars i.e., Cv.1 and Cv.2 (locally called “imported and 144” respectively) were experienced. Aims and Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth, yield, and anticancer nutrient potential of two onion cultivars under varying shaded conditions to explore their performance in depleted soils with added essential macronutrients. Materials and Methods: Fertilizers were applied at the rate of 50 kg of NH₄(SO₄)₂ and 25 kg of MOP (muriate of potash) per acre⁻¹ with the first irrigation. Growth parameters were recorded under un-shaded, partially, and fully shaded canopies of Eugenia trees. Results: Maximum weights (162±9 g), horizontal diameters (7.83±0.77 cm), circumferences (24.20±2.4 cm), and number of leaves per plant (15±0.25) of onion bulbs were recorded in Cv.1 under shaded conditions followed by Cv.2 (weight 135±7 g, 7.82±1.01 cm, 22.5±2.2 cm, 14±0.92 respectively). Similarly, the maximum yield of bulbs (small and medium-sized) was 18±0.11 and 8.25±0.55 ton ha⁻¹ in Cv.1 under un-shaded and 17±0.54 and 8.25±0.55 ton ha⁻¹ under partially shaded conditions, while the lowest (6±0.36 ton ha⁻¹) was observed in large-sized bulbs under fully shaded conditions. More sprouting (40±2.1%) was observed under un-shaded, whereas least (18±3.5%) under partially shaded conditions in Cv.1. Conclusion: The response of both cultivars was beneficial under such an environment; however, Cv.1 was better. It was inferred from the results that onion, which is an excellent source of moderate levels of anticancer diet, can be obtained on these depleted soils by adding essential macronutrients.