Summary
This spatially representative survey across 1,600 locations in Malawi identified soil properties and climatic factors explaining geospatial variation in maize grain zinc concentration. Soil pH, isotopically exchangeable zinc, and DTPA-extractable zinc were statistically significant predictors (p < 0.01, FDR-controlled), with mean annual temperature also contributing explanatory power. The findings provide a foundation for targeting zinc biofortification and dietary interventions in regions where maize-based diets contribute substantially to zinc intake.
UK applicability
The findings are of limited direct applicability to UK farming systems, which do not typically rely on maize as a dietary staple. However, the methodological approach—using spatial analysis and soil zinc fractionation to predict grain micronutrient concentration—may inform UK research on crop nutrient density and precision agriculture.
Key measures
Maize grain zinc concentration (mg kg⁻¹); soil pH (water); isotopically exchangeable zinc (Zn_E); DTPA-extractable zinc (Zn_DTPA); mean annual temperature
Outcomes reported
The study quantified geospatial variation in maize grain zinc concentration across 1600 locations in Malawi and identified soil and environmental factors explaining this variation. Mean grain zinc concentration was 21.8 mg kg⁻¹ (range 10.0–48.1), with spatial dependence evident at distances up to approximately 100 km.
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