Onion Peel Waste Has the Potential to Be Converted into a Useful Agricultural Product to Improve Vegetable Crop Growth

Abstract

The onion processing industry produces hundreds of thousands of tons of onion waste annually. Normally, onion peel waste is dumped in landfills, which creates additional sources of greenhouse gases. Research has validated that onion peel is a concentrated source of bioactive compounds; therefore, it can be turned into useful agricultural products such as soil amendments and possibly biostimulants. This study conducted three experiments to investigate the plant growth-promoting potential of an onion juice concentrate (OJC). The first experiment explored whether the application of OJC could increase plant growth of Bermuda grass, lettuce, and bok choy. The second experiment evaluated the effects of foliar and subsurface drench applications of OJC on bok choy and lettuce growth. The third experiment investigated the interaction between OJC application methods and fertilizer type on bok choy and radish growth. The results indicated that foliar applications of OJC of 1% to 2% concentrations increased the yield of bok choy and its overall growth. Subirrigation with OJC, however, enhanced the root growth of bok choy, lettuce, and radish. Notably, the combined approach of foliar and subirrigation applications further promoted the growth of both bok choy and radish. Comparing across experiments, longer OJC application periods emerged as a promising strategy for amplifying its growth-promoting benefits. Overall, our findings suggest that OJC holds promise for promoting sustainable agriculture. This potential comes from its ability to enhance both the growth and yield of vegetable crops like bok choy, lettuce, and radish while simultaneously reducing waste.