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. 2023 Jan 26:10:1060246.
doi: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1060246. eCollection 2023.

Can cereal-legume intercrop systems contribute to household nutrition in semi-arid environments: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Vimbayi Grace Petrova Chimonyo  1   2 , Laurencia Govender  3 , Melvin Nyathi  4 , Pauline Franka Denise Scheelbeek  1   5 , Dennis Junior Choruma  1 , Maysoun Mustafa  6 , Festo Massawe  1   6 , Rob Slotow  7 , Albert Thembinkosi Modi  1 , Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi  1   6   8
Affiliations

Can cereal-legume intercrop systems contribute to household nutrition in semi-arid environments: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Vimbayi Grace Petrova Chimonyo et al. Front Nutr. .

Abstract

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).

Keywords: SDG #2; cereal–legume intercropping; multicrop agriculture; nutrient dense food; nutritional water productivity; water use efficiency.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
PRISMA flow diagram used for selection of studies.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Improvements in nutrient yield (NY) for Carbohydrates, Protein, Fiber, Iron, Zinc, and Calcium across the intercrop systems relative to monocropping. The intercrop systems used in the study include Maize-Cowpea (MC), Maize-Dry Bean (MD), Maize-Groundnut (MG), Maize-Pea (MP), Mazie-Soybean (MS), Millet-Groundnut (MG), Sorghum-Cowpea (SC), and Wheat-Chickpea (WC).
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
A comparison between intercrop systems and corresponding cereal monocrop for nutritional water productivity (NWP) for Carbohydrates, Protein, Fiber, Iron, Zinc, and Calcium. The intercrop systems used in the study include Maize-Cowpea (MC), Maize-Dry Bean (MD), Maize-Groundnut (MG), Maize-Pea (MP), Mazie-Soybean (MS), Millet-Groundnut (MG), Sorghum-Cowpea (SC), and Wheat-Chickpea (WC).
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
A comparison between intercrop systems and corresponding cereal monocrop for Nutrient Contribution (NC) in terms of Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) per cent for each nutrient for an average family of four comprising an adult male and female, an adolescent female, and a child. Carbo is the abbreviation for carbohydrates.
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