Magnesium oxide nanoparticles enhance tomato growth and magnesium uptake with reduced leaching in acidic soils

Abstract Magnesium (Mg) leaching in acidic soils poses a significant challenge to sustainable agriculture. While nanotechnology offers potential solutions, the efficacy of magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO‐NPs) in mitigating Mg loss remains poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of MgO‐NPs on tomato growth and Mg migration in acidic soil using a soil column experiment, comparing them with conventional bulk MgO and MgSO 4 . Our results demonstrated that MgO‐NPs were the most effective treatment in reducing Mg leaching, showing a significantly lower Mg migration flux than MgSO 4 in tomatoes. Concurrently, MgO‐NPs substantially increased exchangeable Mg content in the topsoil (0–20 cm) by over 113% and improved soil pH, thereby enhancing the retention of other key nutrients such as potassium and calcium. These improvements in the soil environment translated into enhanced plant performance: MgO‐NPs significantly boosted chlorophyll content, photosynthetic efficiency, and mineral nutrient accumulation, which collectively led to increased plant growth and superior fruit yield and quality. In conclusion, MgO‐NPs present a highly promising sustainable amendment for acidic soils, outperforming traditional Mg fertilizers by simultaneously minimizing nutrient leaching and promoting tomato productivity.