Summary
This farmer-led field trial across five Zambian chiefdoms (2019–2022) assessed how intercropping Gliricidia sepium with maize, soybean, and groundnuts affects crop nutrient composition and quality. Gliricidia intercropping significantly improved nutritional properties and reduced antinutritional contents in maize and soybean, with crop-specific effects on mineral micronutrient concentrations. The findings suggest that agroforestry-based intensification can enhance nutritional quality of staple crops in smallholder farming systems.
Regional applicability
Direct agronomic applicability to the UK is limited due to differences in climate, soil conditions, and cropping systems. However, the methodological approach to assessing intercrop effects on nutrient density may inform UK agroforestry research, particularly as interest grows in diversified and regenerative farming systems compatible with temperate conditions.
Key measures
Grain nutrient content (protein, fat, crude fibre, total carbohydrate, metabolizable energy); antinutritional factors; functional qualities; mineral concentrations (N, P, K, Ca, Na, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe)
Outcomes reported
The study measured nutritional properties (protein, fat, crude fibre, carbohydrates, metabolizable energy), antinutritional contents, functional qualities, and mineral elemental composition (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, copper, zinc, and iron) in maize, soybean, and groundnut crops grown with and without Gliricidia sepium intercropping.
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