Exploring Black Soldier Fly Frass as Novel Fertilizer for Improved Growth, Yield, and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Maize Under Field Conditions
Loading...
Date
2020
Authors
Beesigamukama, Dennis
Mochoge, Benson
Korir, Nicholas K.
Komi, K. M. Fiaboe
Nakimbugwe, Dorothy
Khamis, Fathiya M.
Subramanian, Sevgan
Dubois, Thomas
Musyoka, Martha W.
Ekesi, Sunday
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Frontiers in Plant Science
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 concentrations. 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 ofmaize
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 improvingmaize 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.
Description
article
Keywords
agronomic nitrogen use efficiency, frass fertilizer, Hermetia illucens, maize yield, nitrogen fertilizer equivalence, nitrogen recovery efficiency, nitrogen uptake
Citation
Beesigamukama D, Mochoge B, Korir NK, Fiaboe KKM, Nakimbugwe D, Khamis FM, Subramanian S, Dubois T, Musyoka MW, Ekesi S, Kelemu S and Tanga CM (2020) Exploring Black Soldier Fly Frass as Novel Fertilizer for Improved Growth, Yield, and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Maize Under Field Conditions. Front. Plant Sci. 11:574592. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2020.574592