Insect frass fertilizer as a regenerative input for improved biological nitrogen fixation and sustainable bush bean production

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorChepkorir,Agnes
dc.contributor.authorBeesigamukama, Dennis
dc.contributor.authorGitari, Harun I.
dc.contributor.authorChia, Shaphan Y.
dc.contributor.authorSubramanian, Sevgan
dc.contributor.authorEkes, Sundayi
dc.contributor.authorAbucheli, Birachi Eliud
dc.contributor.authorRubyogo, Jean Claude
dc.contributor.authorZahariadis, Theodore
dc.contributor.authorAthanasiou, Gina
dc.contributor.authorZachariadi, Aikaterini
dc.contributor.authorZachariadis, Vasileios
dc.contributor.authorTenkouano, Abdou
dc.contributor.authorTanga, Chrysantus M
dc.date.accessioned2024-09-09T09:11:49Z
dc.date.available2024-09-09T09:11:49Z
dc.date.issued2024-09-05
dc.descriptionArticle
dc.description.abstractBush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production is undermined by soil degradation and low biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) capacity. This study evaluated the effect of black soldier fly frass fertilizer (BSFFF) on bush bean growth, yield, nutrient uptake, BNF, and profitability, in comparison with commercial organic fertilizer (Phymyx, Phytomedia International Ltd., Kiambu, Kenya), synthetic fertilizer (NPK), and rhizobia inoculant (Biofix, MEA Fertilizers, Nairobi, Kenya). The organic fertilizers were applied at rates of 0, 15, 30, and 45 kg N ha−1 while the NPK was applied at 40 kg N ha−1, 46 kg P ha−1, and 60 kg K ha−1. The fertilizers were applied singly and in combination with rhizobia inoculant to determine the interactive effects on bush bean production. Results showed that beans grown using BSFFF were the tallest, with the broadest leaves, and the highest chlorophyll content. Plots treated with 45 kg N ha−1 BSFFF produced beans with more flowers (7 – 8%), pods (4 – 9%), and seeds (9 – 11%) compared to Phymyx and NPK treatments. The same treatment also produced beans with 6, 8, and 18% higher 100-seed weight, compared to NPK, Phymyx, and control treatments, respectively. Beans grown in soil amended with 30 kg N ha−1 of BSFFF had 3–14-fold higher effective root nodules, fixed 48%, 31%, and 91% more N compared to Phymyx, NPK, and rhizobia, respectively, and boosted N uptake (19 – 39%) compared to Phymyx and NPK treatments. Application of 45 kg N ha−1 of BSFFF increased bean seed yield by 43%, 72%, and 67% compared to the control, NPK and equivalent rate of Phymyx, respectively. The net income and gross margin achieved using BSFFF treatments were 73 – 239% and 118 – 184% higher than the values obtained under Phymyx treatments. Our findings demonstrate the high efficacy of BSFFF as a novel soil input and sustainable alternative for boosting BNF and improving bush bean productivity.
dc.identifier.citationChepkorir A, Beesigamukama D, Gitari HI, Chia SY, Subramanian S, Ekesi S, Abucheli BE, Rubyogo JC, Zahariadis T, Athanasiou G, Zachariadi A, Zachariadis V, Tenkouano A and Tanga CM (2024) Insect frass fertilizer as a regenerative input for improved biological nitrogen fixation and sustainable bush bean production. Front. Plant Sci. 15:1460599. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1460599
dc.identifier.otherhttps://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2024.1460599
dc.identifier.urihttps://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/28734
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherFrontiers
dc.titleInsect frass fertilizer as a regenerative input for improved biological nitrogen fixation and sustainable bush bean production
dc.typeArticle
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
Insect frass fertilizer as a regenerative input for improved biological nitrogen fixation and sustainable bush bean production.pdf
Size:
6.03 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.71 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download
Collections
RP-Department of Agricultural Sciences and Technology