Traditional compost and BSF-biodigested compost in the organic fertilization of ryegrass

Abstract

The present study is a contribution to evaluate the agronomic potential of two different organic products (cattle effluents, either composted or digested by Black Soldier Fly larvae) as organic fertilizers, through the measurement of production and the photosynthetic activity of ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.), growing in a sandy soil, treated with different doses of those products. Within this aim, an experiment was conducted in a semi-controlled greenhouse with ryegrass plants cultivated in pots, with ten treatments: four different treatments of traditionally composted material, four different treatments of biodigested material, a mineral control (using the recommended rate of mineral fertilizer for ryegrass), and a zero control (without any type of fertilization). Under the experimental conditions, the results showed a significant effect of both organic composts over mineral fertilization, with a better performance of the biodigested by black soldier fly larvae. As for the informative capacity of photosynthetic activity data, in assessing the vegetative development of crops, "net assimilation rate" and "water use efficiency" proved to be the most suitable parameters.