Nitrogen fertilizer equivalence of black soldier fly frass fertilizer and synchrony of nitrogen mineralization for maize production

Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

Agronomy

Name of Author

• Dennis Beesigamukama, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
• Benson Mochoge, Kenyatta University
• Nicholas Korir, Kenyatta University
• Martha W. Musyoka, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
• Komi K.M. Fiaboe, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
• Dorothy Nakimbugwe, Makerere University
• Fathiya M. Khamis, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
• Sevgan Subramanian, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
• Thomas Dubois, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
• Sunday Ekesi, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
• Chrysantus M. Tanga, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi

Publication Date

9-1-2020

Abstract

The use of black soldier fly frass fertilizer (BSFFF) is being promoted globally. However, information on nitrogen (N) fertilizer equivalence (NFE) value and synchrony of N mineralization for crop production remains largely unknown. Comparative studies between BSFFF and commercial organic fertilizer (SAFI) were undertaken under field conditions to determine synchrony of N release for maize uptake. The BSFFF, SAFI, and urea fertilizers were applied at the rates of 0, 30, 60, and 100 kg N ha−1. The yield data from urea treated plots were used to determine the NFE of both organic inputs. Results showed that maize from BSFFF treated plots had higher N uptake than that from SAFI treated plots. High N immobilization was observed throughout the active growth stages of maize grown in soil amended with BSFFF, whereas soil treated with SAFI achieved net N release at the silking stage. Up to three times higher negative N fluxes were observed in SAFI amended soils as compared with BSFFF treated plots at the tasseling stage. The BSFFF applied at 30 and 60 kg N ha−1 achieved significantly higher NFE than all SAFI treatments. Our findings revealed that BSFFF is a promising and sustainable alternative to SAFI or urea for enhanced maize production.

Keywords

Frass fertilizer, Hermertia illucens, Maize, Nitrogen fertilizer equivalence, Nitrogen mineralization, Nitrogen synchrony

Recommended Citation

Beesigamukama, D., Mochoge, B., Korir, N., Musyoka, M., Fiaboe, K., Nakimbugwe, D., Khamis, F., Subramanian, S., Dubois, T., Ekesi, S., & Tanga, C. (2020). Nitrogen fertilizer equivalence of black soldier fly frass fertilizer and synchrony of nitrogen mineralization for maize production. Agronomy, 10 (9) https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10091395

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.