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Cited by 206Agricultural Science and FertilizationAgriculture, Plant Science, Crop ManagementCrop Yield and Soil Fertility

Exploring Black Soldier Fly Frass as Novel Fertilizer for Improved Growth, Yield, and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Maize Under Field Conditions

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Beesigamukama, Dennis, Mochoge, Benson, Korir, Nicholas K., Fiaboe, Komi K. M., Nakimbugwe, Dorothy, Khamis, Fathiya M., Subramanian, Sevgan, Dubois, Thomas +4 more·2020·Frontiers in Plant Science
DOI 10.3389/fpls.2020.574592PMC PMC7539147
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Abstract

Black soldier fly frass fertilizer (BSFFF) is increasingly gaining momentum worldwide as organic fertilizer. However, research on its performance on crop production remains largely unknown. Here, we evaluate the comparative performance of BSFFF and commercial organic fertilizer (SAFI) on maize (H513) production. Both fertilizers were applied at the rates of 0, 2.5, 5 and 7.5 t ha-1, and 0, 30, 60 and 100 kg nitrogen (N) ha-1. Mineral fertilizer (urea) was also applied at 0, 30, 60 and 100 kg N ha-1 to establish the N fertilizer equivalence (NFE) of the organic fertilizers. Maize grown in plots treated with BSFFF had the tallest plants and highest chlorophyll contents. Plots treated with 7.5 t ha-1 of BSFFF had 14% higher grain yields than plots treated with a similar rate of SAFI. There was a 27% and 7% increase in grain yields in plots treated with 100 kg N ha-1 of BSFFF compared to those treated with equivalent rates of SAFI and urea fertilizers, respectively. Application of BSFFF at 7.5 t ha-1 significantly increased N uptake by up to 23% compared to the equivalent rate of SAFI. Likewise, application of BSFFF at 100 kg N ha-1 increased maize N uptake by 76% and 29% compared to SAFI and urea, respectively. Maize treated with BSFFF at 2.5 t ha-1 and 30 kg N ha-1 had higher nitrogen recovery efficiencies compared to equivalent rates of SAFI. The agronomic N use efficiency (AEN) of maize treated with 2.5 t ha-1 of BSFFF was 2.4 times higher than the value achieved using an equivalent rate of SAFI. Also, the AEN of maize grown using 30 kg N ha-1 was 27% and 116% higher than the values obtained using equivalent rates of SAFI and urea fertilizers, respectively. The NFE of BSFFF (108%) was 2.5 times higher than that of SAFI. Application rates of 2.5 t ha-1 and 30 kg N ha-1 of BSFFF were found to be effective in improving maize yield, while double rates of SAFI were required. Our findings demonstrate that BSFFF is a promising and sustainable alternative to commercial fertilizers for increased maize production.

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  • Maize treated with composted BSFL frass at 2.5 t ha−1 and 30 kg N ha−1 has higher nitrogen recovery efficiencies than commercial fertilisers.

    “The maize treated with composted BSFL frass at 2.5 t ha−1 and 30 kg N ha−1 has higher nitrogen recovery efficiencies than commercial fertilisers.”

    From Potential Applications of Frass Derived from Black Soldier Fly Larvae Treatment of Food Waste: A Review (2022) · cites this paper as [38]

    The Abstract reports higher nitrogen recovery efficiencies at both BSF frass application rates, but its comparison is specifically with equivalent rates of SAFI, a commercial organic fertilizer. The Results section on apparent nitrogen recovery reports that 30 kg N ha−1 of urea had higher recovery than most treatments in the short rain season, so the claim is too broad if “commercial fertilisers” includes urea. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Maize plots treated with BSFL frass produced bigger plants with highest chlorophyll concentration and grain yields than commercially treated maize plots.

    “The maize plots treated with BSFL frass produced bigger plants with the highest chlorophyll concentration and grain yields than the commercially treated maize plots.”

    From Potential Applications of Frass Derived from Black Soldier Fly Larvae Treatment of Food Waste: A Review (2022) · cites this paper as [38]

    The Results sections on leaf chlorophyll and grain yield report that some BSF-frass treatments produced the highest chlorophyll concentrations and grain yields, including values above those for the commercial organic fertilizer SAFI. But the plant-height Results do not support the claim that frass produced bigger plants overall: SAFI produced the tallest plants in the fertilizer-type comparisons and in the long-season comparison at equivalent nitrogen rates. (LLM, conf=0.90)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • BSFL frass has promising potential as an organic fertiliser because it shows similar performance to commercial fertilisers in increasing maize production.

    “BSFL frass has a promising potential as an organic fertiliser since it shows similar performance to commercial fertilisers in increasing maize production [38].”

    From Potential Applications of Frass Derived from Black Soldier Fly Larvae Treatment of Food Waste: A Review (2022) · cites this paper as [38]

  • Harvested BSFL frass after two weeks of bioconversion and composted using heap methods for five weeks yields mature and stable frass compost.

    “The study of Beesigamukama et al. [38] has stated that harvested BSFL frass after two weeks of bioconversion and composted the BSFL frass using the heap methods for five weeks to obtain mature and stable frass compost.”

    From Potential Applications of Frass Derived from Black Soldier Fly Larvae Treatment of Food Waste: A Review (2022) · cites this paper as [38]

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Authors
Beesigamukama, D., Mochoge, B., Korir, N. K., Fiaboe, K. K. M., Nakimbugwe, D., Khamis, F. M., Subramanian, S., Dubois, T., Musyoka, M. W., Ekesi, S., Kelemu, S., & Tanga, C. M.
Affiliations
  • Kenyatta University (KE)
  • International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (KE)
  • Makerere University (UG)
Corresponding author
  • Beesigamukama, Dennis
  • Tanga, Chrysantus M.
ORCID
Venue
Frontiers in Plant Science
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Published
2020-09-23
Volume
11
Pages
574592-574592
ISSN
1664-462X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3389/fpls.2020.574592
PMC
PMC7539147
OpenAlex
W3089050291
Cited by
206
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 49 · 2025: 48 · 2024: 53 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 2
FWCI
9.26
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Frontiers in Plant Science (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • CGSPace A Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Greater South Information System
Funders
  • Rockefeller Foundation (108866-001, 2018 FOD 009)
  • Styrelsen för Internationellt Utvecklingssamarbete (108866-001, 2018 FOD 009)
  • Government of the Republic of Kenya (2018 FOD 009, 108866-001)
  • International Development Research Centre (2018 FOD 009, 108866-001)
  • Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst
  • Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
  • Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (2018 FOD 009, 108866-001)
  • Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (2018 FOD 009, 108866-001)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Agricultural Science and Fertilization
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Agriculture, Plant Science, Crop Management
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Agronomy and Crop Science › Crop Yield and Soil Fertility
Keywords
black soldier fly frass, organic fertilizer, maize, nitrogen use efficiency, nitrogen uptake, nitrogen recovery efficiency, nitrogen agronomic efficiency, urea, commercial organic fertilizer, grain yield, chlorophyll content, sustainable agriculture, crop growth and yield, maize yield

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