Fertilizer management and soil type influence grain zinc and iron concentration under contrasting smallholder cropping systems in Zimbabwe

Manzeke, Muneta G.; Mtambanengwe, Florence; Watts, Michael J.; Hamilton, Elliott M.; Lark, R. Murray; Broadley, Martin R.; Mapfumo, Paul

doi:10.1038/s41598-019-42828-0

Cited by 61 publications

(66 citation statements)

References 37 publications

(56 reference statements)

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“…Hwedza and Mutasa Districts are in the eastern part of Zimbabwe in the Mashonaland East and Manicaland Provinces, respectively (Figure 1). Hwedza and Mutasa Districts were selected based on contrasting Natural Regions (NRs) or agro‐ecological zones (Manzeke et al., 2019). Agro‐ecological zonation in Zimbabwe is defined in terms of variations in mean annual rainfall, atmospheric temperature and humidity (Vincent & Thomas, 1961; Department of the Surveyor General, 1984).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The main food crops grown are maize and groundnut with banana ( Musa acuminata Colla) production for income generation. In Honde Valley, few farmers own cattle due to unfavorable terrain and climatic conditions (high temperatures and humidity) within this region (Manzeke et al., 2019).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Soil pH for the two sites was acidic, where pH of 4.3 and 4.5 were measured in Hwedza and Mutasa, respectively (Table 1). Recent surveys conducted in two major maize‐growing smallholder farms in Zimbabwe showed that most soils had low soil pH between 4.5 to 5.5 (Manzeke et al., 2019). While low soil pH potentially limits crop productivity, it facilitates Zn uptake in soils (Alloway, 2008).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Southern Africa, agronomic biofortification with soil Zn fertilizer can increase grain Zn concentration in maize (Manzeke, 2013; Manzeke et al., 2014) and cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata L.; Manzeke et al., 2017). These crops are typically grown in smallholder communities in Zimbabwe on soils of low Zn status, and may contribute to addressing Zn deficiency within the region, if Zn fertilizers are added (Manzeke et al., 2012, 2014, 2019; Moloto, Moremi, Soundy, & Maseko, 2018). While the Zimbabwe Government recently launched the National Food Fortification Program, which regulates mandatory fortification of staple foods with essential micronutrients (WHO, 2015), fortified foods remain unaffordable to the marginalized rural communities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is important to find agronomic management techniques that will increase dietary Zn intake in communities reliant on plant‐based diets without a concomitant yield penalty. Findings from a large survey of smallholder farmers indicated that the application of N‐containing fertilizers increased grain Zn concentration in cereal and legume crops grown even without Zn fertilization (Manzeke et al., 2019). To our knowledge, field research has not confirmed these findings.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Nitrogen effect on zinc biofortification of maize and cowpea in Zimbabwean smallholder farms

et al. 2020

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Agronomic biofortification of crops with zinc (Zn) can be enhanced under increased nitrogen (N) supply. Here, the effects of N fertilizer on grain Zn concentration of maize (Zea mays L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) were determined at two contrasting sites in Zimbabwe over two seasons. All treatments received soil and foliar zinc-sulphate fertilizer. Seven N treatments, with three N rates (0, 45, and 90 kg ha −1 for maize; 0, 15, and 30 kg ha −1 for cowpea), two N forms (mineral and organic), and combinations thereof were used for each crop in a randomized complete block design (n = 4). Maize grain Zn concentrations increased from 27.2 to 39.3 mg kg −1 across sites. At 45 kg N ha −1 , mineral N fertilizer increased maize grain Zn concentration more than organic N from cattle manure or a combination of mineral and organic N fertilizers. At 90 kg N ha −1 , the three N fertilizer application strategies had similar effects on maize grain Zn concentration. Co-application of N and Zn fertilizer was more effective at increasing Zn concentration in maize grain than Zn fertilizer alone. Increases in cowpea grain Zn concentration were less consistent, although grain Zn concentration increased from 39.8 to 52.7 mg kg −1 under optimal co-applications of N and Zn. Future cost/benefit analyses of agronomic biofortification need to include information on benefits of agro-fortified grain, complex farmer management decisions (including cost and access to both N and Zn fertilizers), as well as understanding of the spatial and site-specific variation in fertilizer responses.Abbreviations: CRM, certified reference material; NR, natural regions; SSA, sub-Saharan Africa.This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Nitrogen effect on zinc biofortification of maize and cowpea in Zimbabwean smallholder farms

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Examining energy and nutrient production across the different agroecological zones in rural Ethiopia using statistical methods

Guja,

Belgiu,

Embibel

et al. 2023

Food Science & Nutrition

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Poor‐quality diets are of huge concern in areas where consumption is dominated by locally sourced foods that provide inadequate nutrients. In agroecologically diverse countries like Ethiopia, food production is also likely to vary spatially. Yet, little is known about how nutrient production varies by agroecology. Our study looked at the adequacy of essential nutrients from local production in the midland, highland, and upper highland agroecological zones (AEZs). Data were collected at the village level from the kebele agriculture office and at the farm and household levels through surveys in rural districts of the South Wollo zone, Ethiopia. Household data were acquired from 478 households, and crop samples were collected from 120 plots during the 2020 production year. Annual crop and livestock production across the three AEZs was converted into energy and nutrient supply using locally developed crops' energy and nutrient composition data. The total produced energy (kcal) met significant proportions of per capita energy demand in the highland and upper highland, while the supply had a 50% energy deficit in the midland. Shortfalls in per capita vitamin A supply decreased across the agroecological gradient from midland (46%) to upper highland (31%). The estimated shortfall in folate supply was significantly higher in the upper highlands (63%) and negligible in the highlands (2%). The risk of deficient iron and zinc supply was relatively low across all AEZs (<10%), but the deficiency risk of calcium was unacceptably high. Agroecology determines the choice of crop produced and, in this way, affects the available supply of energy and nutrients. Therefore, agroecological variations should be a key consideration when designing food system interventions dedicated to improving diets.

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Increasing zinc concentration in maize grown under contrasting soil types in Malawi through agronomic biofortification: Trial protocol for a field experiment to detect small effect sizes

et al. 2020

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The prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies including zinc (Zn) is widespread in Malawi, especially among poor and marginalized rural populations. This is due to low concentrations of Zn in most staple cereal crops and limited consumption of animal source foods. The Zn concentration of cereal grain can be increased through application of Zn‐enriched fertilizers; a process termed agronomic biofortification or agro‐fortification. This trial protocol describes a field experiment which aims to assess the potential of agronomic biofortification to improve the grain Zn concentration of maize, the predominant staple crop of Malawi. The hypotheses of the study are that application of Zn‐enriched fertilizers will create a relatively small increase in the concentration of Zn in maize grains that will be sufficient to benefit dietary supplies of Zn, and that the effectiveness of agronomic biofortification will differ between soil types. The study will be conducted at three sites, Chitedze, Chitala, and Ngabu Agricultural Research Stations, in Lilongwe, Salima, and Chikwawa Districts respectively. These three sites represent locations in the Central and Southern Regions of Malawi. At each site, two different sub‐sites will be used, each corresponding to one of two agriculturally important soil types of Malawi, Lixisols, and Vertisols. Within each sub‐site, three Zn fertilizer rates (1, 30, and 90 kg/ha) will be applied to experimental plots using standard soil application methods, in a randomized complete block design. The number of replicates at plot level has been informed by a power analysis from pilot study data, assuming that a minimum 10% increase in Zn concentration of grain at 90 kg/ha relative to the concentration at 1 kg/ha is of interest. Grain mass (yield), stover mass, and both stover and grain Zn concentrations will be measured at harvest. A second year of cropping will be used to establish whether there are any residual benefits to grain Zn concentration. The potential for Zn agronomic biofortification will be communicated to relevant academic and government stakeholders through a peer review journal article and a briefing paper.

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Fertilizer management and soil type influence grain zinc and iron concentration under contrasting smallholder cropping systems in Zimbabwe

Cited by 61 publications

References 37 publications

Nitrogen effect on zinc biofortification of maize and cowpea in Zimbabwean smallholder farms

Nitrogen effect on zinc biofortification of maize and cowpea in Zimbabwean smallholder farms

Examining energy and nutrient production across the different agroecological zones in rural Ethiopia using statistical methods

Increasing zinc concentration in maize grown under contrasting soil types in Malawi through agronomic biofortification: Trial protocol for a field experiment to detect small effect sizes

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