Use of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens (L.), Diptera: Stratiomyidae) larvae processing residue in peat-based growing media

Leonardo Setti,Enrico Francia,Andrea Pulvirenti,Silvia Gigliano,Massimo Zaccardelli,Catello Pane,Federica Caradonia,Sara Bortolini,Lara Maistrello,Domenico Ronga

doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2019.06.017

Abstract

The Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens (L.), Diptera: Stratiomyidae) is an insect whose larvae thrive on agro-industrial by-products. This study reports the first use of black soldier fly larvae processing residue (BSPR) as an innovative ingredient for growing media. BSPR was characterized and evaluated to partially replace commercial peat (CP) in the production of potted plants. Chemical and microbiological analysis showed the suitability of BSPR for soilless production. Hence, six growing media mixtures (CP 100% + slow acting synthetic solid fertilizer, CP 90% + BSPR 10%, CP 80% + BSPR 20%, CP 70% + BSPR 30%, CP 60% + BSPR 40% and CP 100% without fertilizer) were assessed for the production of baby leaf lettuce, basil and tomato potted plants. Using BSPR in a proportion up to 20%, all investigated crops showed values significantly greater than or comparable to those obtained using CP 100% + slow acting synthetic solid fertilizer. In general, BSPR used in a proportion up to 20% increased the crop growth of baby leaf lettuce, basil and tomato, recording a high total dry weight (+31%, compared to the total average) and the measured leaf parameters (+39% of leaf area, +14% of leaf number), without showing abiotic stresses. This study indicates that BSPR used in a proportion up to 20% might be a valid approach for soilless production of potted baby leaf lettuce, basil and tomato plants.

Highlights

One of the most important challenges for agriculture is to provide sustainable food satisfying the needs of consumers
black soldier fly larvae processing residue (BSPR) used in a proportion up to 20% increased the crop growth of baby leaf lettuce, basil and tomato, recording a high total dry weight (+31%, compared to the total average) and the measured leaf parameters (+39% of leaf area, +14% of leaf number), without showing abiotic stresses
This study indicates that BSPR used in a proportion up to 20% might be a valid approach for soilless production of potted baby leaf lettuce, basil and tomato plants

Summary

Introduction

One of the most important challenges for agriculture is to provide sustainable food satisfying the needs of consumers. Greenhouse systems rapidly improved the yield and quality of agricultural products and increased out-of-season production (Dorais et al, 2001; Grillas et al, 2001; Putra and Yuliando, 2015). Soilless systems could be an effective approach to improve. Closed soilless systems might save water and fertilizer consumption, reducing agricultural pollution (Bar-Yosef, 2008; Grewal et al, 2011). Soilless systems generally use inorganic growing media (GM) such as rockwool, sand, perlite, vermiculite, pumice, expanded polystyrene, or inorganic nutrient solutions (Böhme et al, 2008); only about 12% use organic GM and nutrient solutions (Donnan, 1998). Some studies indicate that the carbon accumulated in peat bogs is 20–30% of the global organic carbon in the soil (Bolin, 1986; Gorham, 1991; Silvola et al, 1996). Peat extraction is not ecologically sustainable and its use has a negative impact on the peatland ecosystem (Chrysargyris et al, 2018; Herrera et al, 2008; Massa et al, 2018) leading to fossil carbon dioxide (CO2) mobilization, with an

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