<![CDATA[The recent success of vegetatively propagated Indian rose onion (Allium cepa L.) in Malaysia, as demonstrated in prior agronomic trials, marks a breakthrough in tropical horticulture. However, the physiological and anatomical mechanisms underpinning this adaptation remain elusive. This study investigates the morphophysiological traits that enable rose onion to thrive under Malaysian lowland conditions. Anatomical imaging using cryo-scanning electron microscopy and cryostat showed thick epidermal walls, elongated pavement cells, and structurally reinforced guard cells, which are traits consistent with tropical acclimation. Physiological measurements via leaf-level gas exchange showed robust photosynthetic capacity, water use efficiency, and dynamic stomatal regulation. Correlation analysis between anatomical traits and physiological measurements confirmed that the observed structural features significantly influence carboxylation efficiency and water use efficiency. Together, these findings provide the first mechanistic explanation for rose onion’s resilience in Malaysia, identifying important morphological traits for onion adaptability and offering a framework for expanding vegetative onion cultivation in tropical agroecosystems.]]>
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