Your search found 3 records
1 Chimonyo, V. G. P.; Chibarabada, T. P.; Choruma, D. J.; Kunz, R.; Walker, S.; Massawe, F.; Modi, A. T.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe. 2022. Modelling neglected and underutilised crops: a systematic review of progress, challenges, and opportunities. Sustainability, 14(21):13931. (Special issue: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Mainstreaming Underutilized Crops) [doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/su142113931]
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051496)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/21/13931/pdf?version=1666790014
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051496.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051496.pdf
(0.91 MB) (930 KB)
Developing and promoting neglected and underutilised crops (NUS) is essential to building resilience and strengthening food systems. However, a lack of robust, reliable, and scalable evidence impedes the mainstreaming of NUS into policies and strategies to improve food and nutrition security. Well-calibrated and validated crop models can be useful in closing the gap by generating evidence at several spatiotemporal scales needed to inform policy and practice. We, therefore, assessed progress, opportunities, and challenges for modelling NUS using a systematic review. While several models have been calibrated for a range of NUS, few models have been applied to evaluate the growth, yield, and resource use efficiencies of NUS. The low progress in modelling NUS is due, in part, to the vast diversity found within NUS that available models cannot adequately capture. A general lack of research compounds this focus on modelling NUS, which is made even more difficult by a deficiency of robust and accurate ecophysiological data needed to parameterise crop models. Furthermore, opportunities exist for advancing crop model databases and knowledge by tapping into big data and machine learning.
2 Chimonyo, V. G. P.; Govender, L.; Nyathi, M.; Scheelbeek, P. F. D.; Choruma, D. J.; Mustafa, M.; Massawe, F.; Slotow, R.; Modi, A. T.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe. 2023. Can cereal-legume intercrop systems contribute to household nutrition in semi-arid environments: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Nutrition, 10:1060246. [doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1060246]
Intercropping ; Cereal crops ; Legumes ; Multiple cropping ; Water use efficiency ; Water productivity ; Nutrition ; Sustainable Development Goals ; Goal 2 Zero hunger ; Goal 3 Good health and well-being ; Goal 12 Responsible production and consumption
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051672)
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2023.1060246/pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051672.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051672.pdf
(1.35 MB) (1.35 MB)
Introduction: Intercropping cereals with legumes can intensify rainfed cereal monocropping for improved household food and nutritional security. However, there is scant literature confirming the associated nutritional benefits.
Methodology: A systematic review and meta-analysis of nutritional water productivity (NWP) and nutrient contribution (NC) of selected cereal-legume intercrop systems was conducted through literature searches in Scopus, Web of Science and ScienceDirect databases. After the assessment, only nine articles written in English that were field experiments comprising grain cereal and legume intercrop systems were retained. Using the R statistical software (version 3.6.0), paired t-tests were used to determine if differences existed between the intercrop system and the corresponding cereal monocrop for yield (Y), water productivity (WP), NC, and NWP.
Results: The intercropped cereal or legume yield was 10 to 35% lower than that for the corresponding monocrop system. In most instances, intercropping cereals with legumes improved NY, NWP, and NC due to their added nutrients. Substantial improvements were observed for calcium (Ca), where NY, NWP, and NC improved by 658, 82, and 256%, respectively.
Discussion: Results showed that cereal-legume intercrop systems could improve nutrient yield in water-limited environments. Promoting cereal legume intercrops that feature nutrient-dense legume component crops could contribute toward addressing the SDGs of Zero Hunger (SDG 3), Good Health and Well-3 (SDG 2) and Responsible consumption and production (SDG 12).
Methodology: A systematic review and meta-analysis of nutritional water productivity (NWP) and nutrient contribution (NC) of selected cereal-legume intercrop systems was conducted through literature searches in Scopus, Web of Science and ScienceDirect databases. After the assessment, only nine articles written in English that were field experiments comprising grain cereal and legume intercrop systems were retained. Using the R statistical software (version 3.6.0), paired t-tests were used to determine if differences existed between the intercrop system and the corresponding cereal monocrop for yield (Y), water productivity (WP), NC, and NWP.
Results: The intercropped cereal or legume yield was 10 to 35% lower than that for the corresponding monocrop system. In most instances, intercropping cereals with legumes improved NY, NWP, and NC due to their added nutrients. Substantial improvements were observed for calcium (Ca), where NY, NWP, and NC improved by 658, 82, and 256%, respectively.
Discussion: Results showed that cereal-legume intercrop systems could improve nutrient yield in water-limited environments. Promoting cereal legume intercrops that feature nutrient-dense legume component crops could contribute toward addressing the SDGs of Zero Hunger (SDG 3), Good Health and Well-3 (SDG 2) and Responsible consumption and production (SDG 12).
3 Mugiyo, H.; Magadzire, T.; Choruma, D. J.; Chimonyo, V. G. P.; Manzou, R.; Jiri, O.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe. 2023. El Niño’s effects on southern African agriculture in 2023/24 and anticipatory action strategies to reduce the impacts in Zimbabwe. Atmosphere, 14(11):1692. (Special issue: Joint Disasters of High Temperature and Drought) [doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14111692]
El Nino ; Early warning systems ; Strategies ; Disaster risk reduction ; Climate services ; Weather ; Rainfall ; Drought ; Heat stress ; Mitigation ; Crop production ; Crop yield ; Agricultural sector ; Farmers / Southern Africa / Zimbabwe
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052405)
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/14/11/1692/pdf?version=1700139089
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H052405.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H052405.pdf
(1.79 MB) (1.79 MB)
The frequency of El Niño occurrences in southern Africa surpasses the norm, resulting in erratic weather patterns that significantly impact food security, particularly in Zimbabwe. The effects of these weather patterns posit that El Niño occurrences have contributed to the diminished maize yields. The objective is to give guidelines to policymakers, researchers, and agricultural stakeholders for taking proactive actions to address the immediate and lasting impacts of El Niño and enhance the resilience of the agricultural industry. This brief paper provides prospective strategies for farmers to anticipate and counteract the El Niño-influenced dry season projected for 2023/24 and beyond. The coefficient of determination R2 between yield and ENSO was low; 11 of the 13 El Niño seasons had a negative detrended yield anomaly, indicating the strong association between El Nino’s effects and the reduced maize yields in Zimbabwe. The R2 between the Oceanic Nino Index (ONI) and rainfall (43%) and between rainfall and yield (39%) indirectly affects the association between ONI and yield. To safeguard farmers’ livelihoods and improve their preparedness for droughts in future agricultural seasons, this paper proposes a set of strategic, tactical, and operational decision-making guidelines that the agriculture industry should follow. The importance of equipping farmers with weather and climate information and guidance on drought and heat stress was underscored, encompassing strategies such as planting resilient crop varieties, choosing resilient livestock, and implementing adequate fire safety measures.
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