Valuing increased zinc (Zn) fertiliser-use in Pakistan

Joy, Edward J.M.; Ahmad, Waqar; Zia, Munir H.; Kumssa, Diriba B.; Young, Scott D.; Ander, E. Louise; Watts, Michael J.; Stein, Alexander J.; Broadley, Martin R.. 2017 Valuing increased zinc (Zn) fertiliser-use in Pakistan. Plant and Soil, 411 (1-2). 139-150. 10.1007/s11104-016-2961-7

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-016-2961-7

Abstract/Summary

Use of zinc (Zn) fertilisers may be cost-effective in increasing crop yields and in alleviating dietary Zn deficiency. However, Zn fertilisers are underutilised in many countries despite the widespread occurrence of Zn-deficient soils. Here, increased Zn fertiliser-use scenarios were simulated for wheat production in Punjab and Sindh Provinces, Pakistan. Inputs and outputs were valued in terms of both potential yield gains as well as health gains in the population. Methods The current dietary Zn deficiency risk of 23.9 % in Pakistan was based on food supply and wheat grain surveys. “Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost” are a common metric of disease burden; an estimated 245,000 DALYs y−1 are lost in Punjab and Sindh due to Zn deficiency. Baseline Zn fertiliser-use of 7.3 kt y−1 ZnSO4.H2O was obtained from published and industry sources. The wheat area currently receiving Zn fertilisers, and grain yield responses of 8 and 14 % in Punjab and Sindh, respectively, were based on a recent survey of >2500 farmers. Increased grain Zn concentrations under Zn fertilisation were estimated from literature data and converted to improved Zn intake in humans and ultimately a reduction in DALYs lost.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1007/s11104-016-2961-7
ISSN:	0032-079X
Date made live:	31 Jul 2017 13:46 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/517431

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1007/s11104-016-2961-7

ISSN:

0032-079X

Date made live:

31 Jul 2017 13:46 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/517431