Cereal grain mineral micronutrient and soil chemistry data from GeoNutrition surveys in Ethiopia and Malawi

Kumssa, Diriba B.; Mossa, Abdul‐Wahab; Amede, Tilahun; Ander, E. Louise; Bailey, Elizabeth H.; Botoman, Lester; Chagumaira, Christopher; Chimungu, Joseph G.; Davis, Kyle Frankel; Gameda, S.; Haefele, Stephan M.; Hailu, K.; Joy, Edward J. M.; Lark, R. Murray; Ligowe, Ivy Sichinga; McGrath, Steve P.; Milne, Alice E.; Muleya, P.; Munthali, Moses Wazingwa; Towett, Erick K.; Walsh, Markus; Wilson, Lolita; Young, Scott D.; Haji, I. R.; Broadley, Martin R.; Gashu, Dawd; Nalivata, Patson C.

doi:10.1038/s41597-022-01500-5

Cited by 21 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Declining soil fertility and productivity is a major challenge among smallholder farmers in Malawi (Kumssa et al, 2022). Poor soil fertility is recognised as a key obstacle to macadamia production globally.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variability in soil quality among smallholder macadamia farms in Malawi

Zuza

Maseyk²,

Bhagwat

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Declining soil fertility limits smallholder macadamia productivity in Malawi. In order to reverse this trend, it is essential to apply organic and inorganic fertilisers in an efficient and effective manner. Yet, fertiliser recommendations for smallholder macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) production in Malawi are not site-specific. Nutrient imbalances can occur if fertilisers are applied without a clear understanding of whether they are required or not. This may lead to yield losses, unnecessary costs, and other environmental issues associated with excess fertiliser application. To address this knowledge gap, our study examined the current soil fertility status among smallholder macadamia farms in Malawi. Specifically, the objective was to establish an evidence base for promoting soil fertility restoration interventions for smallholder macadamia production. One hundred and eighty nine soil samples at a depth of 0–15 cm were collected from sixty three smallholder macadamia farms belonging to the Highlands Macadamia Cooperative Union Limited members in central and southern Malawi. We found that the majority of the soils were sandy loams (52%), strongly acidic (mean pH ≤ 5.1), and deficient in essential nutrients required for the healthy growth of macadamia. The soils had an average low cation exchange capacity of 1.67 cmol (+) kg− 1, which is inadequate for macadamia cultivation. Over half of the sampled soils had very low organic matter content (≤ 1%). The low soil organic matter content, coupled with the sandy texture and high acidity, contributed to the observed low concentrations of essential nutrients and cation exchange capacity. Poor agronomic practices and the long-term uptake of nutrients by macadamia trees and annual crops are responsible for this low soil fertility. Altogether, our findings underscore the urgent need to identify and implement more sustainable and effective soil nutrient management practices that help to improve the soil fertility of macadamia farms under smallholder systems.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variability in soil quality among smallholder macadamia farms in Malawi

Zuza

Maseyk²,

Bhagwat

et al. 2023

Preprint

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“…Data on baseline grain Zn concentration, crop fertilizer response, new grain Zn concentration, target crop consumption, bioavailability of Zn, technology coverage, target population size, and other epidemiological data were obtained from different sources ( 61 , 62 ). The baseline grain Zn concentration of maize (19.1 mg kg –1 ), teff (28.2 mg kg –1 ), and wheat (26.1 mg kg –1 ) was obtained from the recent national GeoNutrition crop survey ( n = 1,352), covering the three agrarian regions in Ethiopia ( 63 , 64 ). The response of grain Zn concentration to soil Zn fertilizer application of 19% (maize) and 23% (wheat and teff), and the respective values for foliar Zn application of 30% (maize) and 63% (wheat and maize), were based on results from a metanalysis of field experiments conducted globally ( 26 ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Zinc agronomic biofortification of staple crops may be a cost-effective strategy to alleviate zinc deficiency in Ethiopia

Abdu

Groote²,

Joy³

et al. 2022

Front. Nutr.

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BackgroundInadequate dietary zinc (Zn) supplies and Zn deficiency (ZnD) are prevalent in Ethiopia, where cereals are major dietary sources, yet low in bioavailable Zn. Zinc agronomic biofortification (ZAB) of staple crops through application of Zn fertilizers may contribute to alleviating ZnD. However, large-scale promotion and adoption of ZAB requires evidence of the feasibility and public health benefits. This paper aimed to quantify the potential cost-effectiveness of ZAB of staple crops for alleviating ZnD in Ethiopia.MethodsCurrent burden of ZnD among children in Ethiopia was quantified using a disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) framework. Evidence on baseline dietary Zn intake, cereal consumption, and fertilizer response ratio was compiled from existing literature and secondary data sources. Reduction in the burden of ZnD attributable to ZAB of three staple cereals (maize, teff, and wheat) via granular and foliar Zn fertilizer applications was calculated under optimistic and pessimistic scenarios. The associated costs for fertilizer, labor, and equipment were estimated in proportion to the cropping area and compared against DALYs saved and the national Gross Domestic Product capita–1.ResultsAn estimated 0.55 million DALYs are lost annually due to ZnD, mainly due to ZnD-related mortality (91%). The ZAB of staple cereals via granular Zn fertilizer could reduce the burden of ZnD by 29 and 38% under pessimistic and optimistic scenarios, respectively; the respective values for ZAB via foliar application were 32 and 40%. The ZAB of staple cereals via granular fertilizer costs US$502 and US$505 to avert each DALY lost under optimistic and pessimistic scenarios, respectively; the respective values for ZAB via foliar application were US$226 and US$ 496. Foliar Zn application in combination with existing pesticide use could reduce costs to US$260–353 for each DALY saved. Overall, ZAB of teff and wheat were found to be more cost-effective in addressing ZnD compared to maize, which is less responsive to Zn fertilizer.ConclusionZAB of staple crops via granular or foliar applications could be a cost-effective strategy to address ZnD, which can be integrated with the existing fertilizer scheme and pesticide use to minimize the associated costs.

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“…After harvesting macronutrients {nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)}, micronutrients {iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn)} in ground corn grains were determined according to (Abdelkader and Elsayed 2022;Kumssa et al 2022).…”

Section: Nutrient Content In Corn Grainsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Minimizing the Adverse Impact of Drought on Corn by Applying Foliar Potassium Humate Combined with Chitosan

Elshamly

2023

J Soil Sci Plant Nutr

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Previous studies have demonstrated the impact of potassium humate (KH) and chitosan (CH) on ameliorating drought effects, but their combined applications in promoting these benefits are still unfound. Therefore, the current study aims to evaluate the efficacy of KH and CH on corn growth, yield, nutrient contents, and water productivity under full and limited irrigation conditions. Under the drip irrigation system, a split-plot experiment was performed with three replications in the second week of February in the seasons of 2021 and 2022. The main plot was equipped with a valve and a flow emitter to control the amount of the targeted irrigation levels (full irrigation and limited irrigation from the development stage onwards), as well as four foliar applications in the subplot (0, CH 500 mg l−1, KH 3000 mg l−1, and CH 500 mg l−1 + KH 3000 mg l−1). It was found that separate foliar applications of KH or combined foliar applications of KH + CH had a significant impact on the most examined traits. However, compared to the control, adopting limited irrigation and applying combined applications thereof have significantly increased iron, zinc, manganese, oil, protein, yield, and water productivity. In addition, this combination decreased proline, and the maximum reduction was observed for the combined application with adopting full irrigation. In arid regions, the researcher recommends treating stressed plants with combined foliar applications of KH + CH, which could help plants overcome the negative effects of drought and attain the highest yield and water productivity.

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Cereal grain mineral micronutrient and soil chemistry data from GeoNutrition surveys in Ethiopia and Malawi

Cited by 21 publications

References 22 publications

Variability in soil quality among smallholder macadamia farms in Malawi

Variability in soil quality among smallholder macadamia farms in Malawi

Zinc agronomic biofortification of staple crops may be a cost-effective strategy to alleviate zinc deficiency in Ethiopia

Minimizing the Adverse Impact of Drought on Corn by Applying Foliar Potassium Humate Combined with Chitosan

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