Foliar Application of MgO Nanoparticles Modulates Magnesium Nutrition and Fruit Quality in Loquat Under Mg-Deficient...

Magnesium (Mg) deficiency is common in acidic orchard soils and can limit fruit crop growth and quality. This study evaluated whether foliar-applied magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs) could improve Mg nutrition and fruit quality in 'Ninghaibai' loquat grown under Mg-deficient acidic soil conditions. Pot and field experiments were conducted using water as the control and MgSO₄-50eq as an equimolar Mg comparator. MgO NPs showed a concentration-dependent effect, and 200 mg/L produced the best overall performance among the tested concentrations. At this concentration, total biomass increased by 47.27%, compared with CK, accompanied by enhanced chlorophyll accumulation, antioxidant enzyme activities, and Mg uptake. In fruit, 200 mg/L MgO NPs increased soluble solids content by 45.67% and reduced titratable acidity by 53.26%, while also improving fruit size and sugar-acid balance. Leaf transcriptome analysis suggested that MgO NPs altered the expression of genes involved in metabolism, stress response, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. At the 50 mg/L level, MgO NPs produced stronger responses than the equimolar MgSO₄ treatment in Mg uptake, nutrient acquisition, and several fruit-quality traits. However, excessive application at 500 mg/L weakened growth and quality improvement. Overall, foliar application of 200 mg/L MgO NPs may represent a promising strategy for improving loquat growth and fruit quality under the tested Mg-deficient conditions.