The effect of application of compost and frass from Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens L.) on growth of Pakchoi (Brassica rapa L.)

Abstract

Pot experiment was conducted to observe the effect of frass (insect feces) from Black Soldier Fly larvae (BSFL) as soil amendments at different application rates in comparation with other organic fertilizers on Pakchoi (Brassica rapa L). The experimental design was completely random with seven treatments, namely compost, compost+LOB (liquid organic biofertilizer), 5%, 10%, and 15% BSF frass, chemical fertilizer (NPK, equivalent to 10 kg/ha), and soil as a control. After 35 days planting, the result showed that Pakchoi cultivated with compost+LOB, compost, and BSF frass produced the highest biomass compared to control and NPK treatment significantly. The highest total plant weight was achieved in the treatment of Compost+LOB (24.4 gr), followed by 10% BSF frass (23.3 gr), compost (21.8 gr), 15% BSF frass (20.7 gr), 5% BSF frass (19,8 gr), NPK (1.3 gr ) and control soil (0.9 gr). While the chlorophyll content was not significantly different between all treatments, the application of BSF frass tended to be higher but with curly leaf symptoms than other treatments. The population of P solubilizing bacteria and the activity of PME-ase enzyme in soil were also higher in the treatment of compost, compost+LOB, and BSF frass compared to control and NPK treatment.

Glasshouse Evaluation of the Black Soldier Fly Waste Product HexaFrass™ as an Organic Fertilizer

“…To varying degrees, application of HF to seedlings as a top-dressing increased shoot dry weight of seedlings in an organically-rich compost based growing medium, and two potting mixes based on garden soil, bark chips, and coir fibre. These results reinforce findings of other studies that similarly demonstrated increases in plant growth in response to application of BSFF-based fertilizers [8][9][10]12]. HF also produced similar increases in shoot growth to two other standard fertilizers, chicken manure pellets and a commercial organic fertilizer [9,13].…”

“…These results reinforce findings of other studies that similarly demonstrated increases in plant growth in response to application of BSFF-based fertilizers [8][9][10]12]. HF also produced similar increases in shoot growth to two other standard fertilizers, chicken manure pellets and a commercial organic fertilizer [9,13].…”

“…As a by-product, the BSF frass (BSFF) consists of a mixture of leftover feed material, insect skins and faeces, and microorganisms [7,8]. In recent years, there have been a number of studies exploring the potential of frass as a fertilizer, and several reports of how BSFF can have positive effects on plant growth, yield, soil structure and the soil microbiome [8][9][10][11][12][13]. BSFF may also provide additional benefits such as increasing soil organic matter and supplying micronutrients such as copper and zinc, that are essential for plant growth and development [8,13].…”

The Effect of Biofertilizer from Waste Bioconversion on The Growth of Cocoa Seedlings

“…The use of BFS larvae in composting manure increased the total P content, total N, total nutrients [12,13], and humic acid content [14], as well as reduced levels of heavy metals Ar, Cd, and Pb in compost, compared with no use of BSF larvae [13]. Several studies showed the effectiveness of BSF frass as solid organic fertilizer on several plants such as corn [15,16], ryegrass grass [17], and pak choi [18]. However, little is known about using BSF frass and leachate from the waste bioconversion process as biofertilizers.…”

“…However, little is known about using BSF frass and leachate from the waste bioconversion process as biofertilizers. Organic residues from bioconversion by BSF larvae also contain microbes that benefit plants, such as N-fixer, P solubilizer, and phytohormones producers, which [18,19,20]. Liquid organic fertilizer produced by BSF has a high number of microbes such as Pseudomonas sp., Bacillus sp., Trichoderma harzianum, and Streptomyces sp.…”