Multidimensional Regulation Mechanism and Research Progress of Nanofertilizers on Vegetable Quality

Ensuring food security while improving vegetable quality remains a major challenge amid population growth and environmental stress. Nanofertilizers (NFs), with their enhanced bioavailability and regulatory effects on plant metabolism, offer promising solutions to improve nutrient use efficiency, nutritional value, and postharvest quality in vegetables. This paper systematically reviews 106 studies on the effects of NFs under nonbiotic stresses including light, temperature, water, and salinity. Research demonstrates that NFs protect photosynthetic systems; for instance, Se NPs reduce chlorophyll degradation in Chinese cabbage while increasing carotenoid content by 21%. They also enhance antioxidant capacity, reducing malondialdehyde accumulation by over 50%. Nutritionally, NFs promote vitamin synthesis, with zinc oxide NPs increasing vitamin C in tomatoes by 28%, and improve micronutrient levels. Postharvest applications show that NFs inhibit microbial growth and delay ripening, extending shelf life by 30 to 50%. However, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding environmental safety, long-term impacts, and species-specific responses. Future work should prioritize smart-responsive NFs integrated with precision agriculture to reduce fertilizer inputs by 20 to 30% while increasing yields, supporting sustainable vegetable production.