Talent Namatsheve

I am a postdoctoral researcher at the Plant Production Ecology department. My research is on resilience and stability of forage crops in northern Sweden. 

As a researcher in agroecology, my work is on developing resilient cropping systems through strategic crop diversification and the integration of biochar amendments, with a focus on enhancing soil health and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. My primary objective is to sustainably optimise crop productivity. 

I hold a PhD in Environmental Sciences (Soil Science and Agronomy) from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (2022–2025). My research was on Biological N₂-fixation, grain yield and N₂O emissions: The role of conservation agriculture and biochar in unfertilised tropical soils, of Uganda. During my MSc studies at the University of Zimbabwe (2017–2019), I investigated the Ecology of maize–cowpea intercropping on biological nitrogen fixation, productivity and grain mineral composition along soil fertility gradients in Zimbabwe. I also earned my BSc Hons degree in Agriculture from the University of Zimbabwe (2014 - 2017). 

1. Namatsheve, T., Mulder, J., Obia, A., & Martinsen, V. (2025). Biological N2-fixation and grain yield of pigeon pea: The role of biochar and conservation agriculture in low-input systems. Field Crops Research, 328, 109923.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109923

2. Namatsheve, T., Martinsen, V., Obia, A., & Mulder, J. (2024). Grain yield and nitrogen cycling under conservation agriculture and biochar amendment in agroecosystems of sub-Saharan Africa. A meta-analysis. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 376, 109243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2024.109243

3. Namatsheve, T., Cardinael, R., Chikowo, R., Corbeels, M., Rugare, J. T., Mabasa, S., & Ripoche, A. (2024). Do intercropping and mineral nitrogen fertilizer affect weed community structures in low-input maize-based cropping systems?. Crop Protection, 176, 106486. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2023.106486

4. Namatsheve, T., Chikowo, R., Corbeels, M., Mouquet-Rivier, C., Icard-Vernière, C., & Cardinael, R. (2021). Maize-cowpea intercropping as an ecological intensification option for low input systems in sub-humid Zimbabwe: Productivity, biological N2-fixation and grain mineral content. Field Crops Research, 263, 108052. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2020.108052

5. Namatsheve, T., Cardinael, R., Corbeels, M., & Chikowo, R. (2020). Productivity and biological N2-fixation in cereal-cowpea intercropping systems in sub-Saharan Africa. A review. Agronomy for sustainable development, 40(4), 30.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-020-00629-0