View article

Current efforts to promote integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) for improved productivity of staple cereal crops in sub-Saharan Africa have paid little attention to soil micronutrient deficiencies under smallholder farming. This has not only compromised yields, but also undermined the nutritional quality of harvested grains. To address this knowledge gap, a study was carried out over two cropping seasons in Hwedza district in eastern Zimbabwe to assess the added grain yield and nutritional benefits of zinc (Zn) fertilizer application to maize (Zea mays L.) under different ISFM options. In all cases, Zn application resulted in added maize grain and quality benefits. Application of Zn (11 kg ha⁻¹) in combination with organic nutrient resources (5 t ha⁻¹), and mineral fertilizers (90 kg N ha⁻¹ and 26 kg P ha⁻¹) gave the highest maize grain yields of up to 3.9 t ha⁻¹; which translated to 1.3 times more yield than under …