Nano-fertilizers offer a more efficient way to deliver essential nutrients, reducing reliance on conventional fertilizers that contribute to soil degradation and environmental pollution. This study was conducted as a field trial to investigate the response of dragonhead (to different concentrations of Fe2O3 nano-fertilizer (0, 1, 2, and 3 g L-1). Essential oil content, yield performance, total anthocyanins, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and flavonoid content, were measured. The treatment-by-trait biplot analysis, based on the entries vector view, revealed that the four Fe2O3 nano-fertilizer treatments exhibited distinctly different responses. Their positions in the biplot were scattered, indicating a lack of positive correlation between treatments. In other words, the treatments were either unrelated or negatively correlated, reflecting their distinct effects on the measured traits. Yield performance was the trait most closely associated with essential oil content, followed by flavonoid content at 270 nm, chlorophyll a, and chlorophyll b. The yield increase with Fe2O3 nano-fertilizer suggests a strategy for improving productivity, which is crucial for food security in drought-prone or nutrient-deficient regions, and can enhance carbon sequestration by improving photosynthetic efficiency. Reduced fertilizer overuse minimizes greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, contributing to climate change mitigation. By integrating nano-fertilizer technology into natural resource management strategies, both global sustainability goals (food security, climate resilience, and biodiversity conservation) and smart agricultural practices (improved yields, economic benefits, and efficient resource use) can be addressed. These findings support a transition towards eco-friendly, high-efficiency farming practices which are related to zero hunger, climate action, and responsible consumption of natural resources.
