Partially replacing synthetic fertilizer with black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae frass enhances kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica) production

A by-product of insect farming is 'frass', which is the leftover excrement that can be high in essential minerals. The frass of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae (BSFL) is increasingly gaining interest as a soil amendment, but information is limited regarding the feasibility of...

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Main Authors: Nicholas Romano, Surjya Narayan Datta, Amit Kumar Sinha, Gde Sasmita Julyantoro Pande
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Maximum Academic Press 2023-01-01
Series:Technology in Horticulture
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/TIH-2023-0008
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author Nicholas Romano
Surjya Narayan Datta
Amit Kumar Sinha
Gde Sasmita Julyantoro Pande
author_facet Nicholas Romano
Surjya Narayan Datta
Amit Kumar Sinha
Gde Sasmita Julyantoro Pande
author_sort Nicholas Romano
collection DOAJ
description A by-product of insect farming is 'frass', which is the leftover excrement that can be high in essential minerals. The frass of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae (BSFL) is increasingly gaining interest as a soil amendment, but information is limited regarding the feasibility of partially replacing synthetic fertilizers. In this 5-week study, newly-sprouted kale plants were grown with weekly applications of a synthetic fertilizer (control), diluted synthetic fertilizer combined with BSFL frass as a one-time application (½ fert frass) and only BSFL frass as a one-time application (frass). Results showed that the ½ fert frass treatment led to significantly higher biomass of kale than the other treatments, while the stem diameter and height was significantly higher than the control. Potassium and magnesium in kale leaves were significantly lower in the control compared the ½ fert frass treatment while manganese, sodium and zinc were significantly higher in the frass treatment than the control. Iron was significantly highest in the control than the other treatments, but chlorophyll was significantly higher in the ½ fert frass treatment compared to the frass treatment. Among the monosaccharides, mannose was significantly elevated in the leaves of kale grown with only frass. Results indicate that not only can BSFL frass partially replace synthetic fertilizer, but actually showed a growth benefit compared to the sole use of either synthetic fertilizer or BSFL frass.
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spelling doaj-art-8a36ed93ff1d45d9b0914837125429122025-08-20T02:27:14ZengMaximum Academic PressTechnology in Horticulture2833-43372023-01-01311410.48130/TIH-2023-0008TIH-2023-0008Partially replacing synthetic fertilizer with black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae frass enhances kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica) productionNicholas Romano0Surjya Narayan Datta1Amit Kumar Sinha2Gde Sasmita Julyantoro Pande3Virginia Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA 23806, USADepartment of Fisheries Resource Management, College of Fisheries, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana-141004, IndiaCenter of Excellence in Aquaculture & Fisheries, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff, AR 71601, USADepartment of Aquatic Resource Management, Faculty of Marine Science and Fisheries, Udayana University, Bali Province 80361, IndonesiaA by-product of insect farming is 'frass', which is the leftover excrement that can be high in essential minerals. The frass of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae (BSFL) is increasingly gaining interest as a soil amendment, but information is limited regarding the feasibility of partially replacing synthetic fertilizers. In this 5-week study, newly-sprouted kale plants were grown with weekly applications of a synthetic fertilizer (control), diluted synthetic fertilizer combined with BSFL frass as a one-time application (½ fert frass) and only BSFL frass as a one-time application (frass). Results showed that the ½ fert frass treatment led to significantly higher biomass of kale than the other treatments, while the stem diameter and height was significantly higher than the control. Potassium and magnesium in kale leaves were significantly lower in the control compared the ½ fert frass treatment while manganese, sodium and zinc were significantly higher in the frass treatment than the control. Iron was significantly highest in the control than the other treatments, but chlorophyll was significantly higher in the ½ fert frass treatment compared to the frass treatment. Among the monosaccharides, mannose was significantly elevated in the leaves of kale grown with only frass. Results indicate that not only can BSFL frass partially replace synthetic fertilizer, but actually showed a growth benefit compared to the sole use of either synthetic fertilizer or BSFL frass.https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/TIH-2023-0008insect frassmonosaccharidesorganic fertilizersustainable farming
spellingShingle Nicholas Romano
Surjya Narayan Datta
Amit Kumar Sinha
Gde Sasmita Julyantoro Pande
Partially replacing synthetic fertilizer with black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae frass enhances kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica) production
Technology in Horticulture
insect frass
monosaccharides
organic fertilizer
sustainable farming
title Partially replacing synthetic fertilizer with black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae frass enhances kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica) production
title_full Partially replacing synthetic fertilizer with black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae frass enhances kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica) production
title_fullStr Partially replacing synthetic fertilizer with black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae frass enhances kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica) production
title_full_unstemmed Partially replacing synthetic fertilizer with black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae frass enhances kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica) production
title_short Partially replacing synthetic fertilizer with black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae frass enhances kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica) production
title_sort partially replacing synthetic fertilizer with black soldier fly hermetia illucens larvae frass enhances kale brassica oleracea var sabellica production
topic insect frass
monosaccharides
organic fertilizer
sustainable farming
url https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/TIH-2023-0008
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