TITLE:
Application of Black Soldier Fly Frass, Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) as Sustainable Organic Fertilizer for Lettuce, Lactuca sativa Production
AUTHORS:
Daniel Dzepe, Théclaire K. Mbenda, Gabrièle Ngassa, Hervé Mube, Shaphan Y. Chia, Yaouba Aoudou, Rousseau Djouaka
KEYWORDS:
Biofertilizer, Biowaste, Insect Frass, Plant Growth, Sustainable Agriculture
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Applied Sciences,
Vol.12 No.10,
October
19,
2022
ABSTRACT: In recent years, black soldier fly (BSF) has
been shown to efficiently convert organic waste into nutrient-rich larval
biomass while generating frass as the main by-product. This work aims to
investigate the potential of BSF frass (BSFF) as an organic fertilizer for
agricultural production. BSFF was produced by recycling household waste using
BSF larvae, and a
portion was taken to the lab for physicochemical and microbial analyses before
the field trial on lettuce growth and health. The field trial consisted of two
doses of BSFF (15 t·ha-1 and 30 t·ha-1) and one dose of urea
(0.214 t·ha-1). An unfertilized plot was prepared and used as
a control, and the effects on lettuce growth were assessed using agronomic
parameters while
the health effects were assessed using parameters such as: the number of leaves affected per plant, the
incidence of affection, the severity of the affection and the microbial
analysis. BSFF exhibited acceptable physicochemical properties as an organic
fertilizer. Its application improved the growth parameters of lettuce plants
compared to urea and control. The application rates of 15 t·ha-1 and 30 t·ha-1 did not reveal any
significant difference (p > 0.05). Further studies are therefore needed to
determine the minimum applicable dose. The health parameters of the lettuce
plants were slightly altered regardless of the treatment and the microbial
analysis of the affected leaves revealed pathogenic microorganisms. We
therefore recommend that decontamination methods be considered when producing
BSFF as an organic fertilizer.