Abstract
To meet the growing demand for an alternative animal protein source, the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) (Hermetia illucens) industry is expanding. Thus, the valuation of its byproducts, foremost BSF frass, is getting more economic and ecological weight. Three different residues, BSF frass, larval skins, and dead adult flies, were compared with a mineral and an organic commercial fertilizer in a pot trial with maize (Zea mays L., [Poales: Poaceae]). byproducts were applied in three nutrient-based application rates (180; 215 kg N/ha; 75 kg P2O5/ha), and plant nutrients, physiological and yield parameters were measured at harvest date. Ground flies had the highest N-fertilizing effect of all byproducts, similar to commercial mineral and organic fertilizers used as controls, whereas its proportion of the BSF production systems’ output is low. Frass as the abundant byproduct showed comparably low N-fertilization effects. Its low N availability was attributed to volatilization losses, mainly driven by high pH and ammonium contents. BSF frass as the main byproduct output is more suited as a basic fertilizer or potting substrate amendment than as a short-term organic fertilizer. Postprocessing of frass seems reasonable. For a profound assessment of frass as fertilizer, several aspects (e.g., the overall impact of postprocessing, plant strengthening and plant protection potential, effects on microbial processes) must be clarified.
Highlights
To meet the growing demand for an alternative animal protein source, the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) (Hermetia illucens) industry is expanding.the valuation of its byproducts, foremost BSF frass, is getting more economic and ecological weight
BSF frass, larval skins, and dead adult flies, were compared with a mineral and an organic commercial fertilizer in a pot trial with maize (Zea mays L., [Poales: Poaceae]). byproducts were applied in three nutrient-based application rates (180; 215 kg N/ha; 75 kg P2O5/ha), and plant nutrients, physiological and yield parameters were measured at harvest date
When considering the element forms, potassium concentrations were lowest in adult flies (AD), whereas phosphorus concentrations were lowest in FR and larval skins (LS)
Summary
To meet the growing demand for an alternative animal protein source, the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) (Hermetia illucens) industry is expanding.the valuation of its byproducts, foremost BSF frass, is getting more economic and ecological weight. Ground flies had the highest N-fertilizing effect of all byproducts, similar to commercial mineral and organic fertilizers used as controls, whereas its proportion of the BSF production systems’ output is low. One area that needs deeper research is the use of frass as potential soil amendment, regarding its effects on plant growth, its nutrient composition and its influencing factors on variation, and the ecological aspects of its application (Berggren et al 2019). European insect producers are mostly small or medium-sized companies, of which about 80% are currently rearing BSF; most of them for the use in pet food and aquaculture (Derrien and Boccuni 2018). Frass will emerge toward a considerable byproduct as the industry grows rapidly; it represents 80–95% of the total output of a BSF production system (Devic 2016)
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