Response of soil health, arthropod biodiversity and multifunctionality to frass fertilizer and intensified push-pull technologies in varying agro-ecologies

Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

Applied Soil Ecology

Name of Author

• Evanson R. Omuse, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
• Honest Machekano, University of Pretoria
• Daniel M. Mutyambai, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
• Chrysantus M. Tanga, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
• Bonoukpoe M. Sokame, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
• Dennis Beesigamukama, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
• Johnson O. Nyasani, Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization
• Sevgan Subramanian, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
• Frank Chidawanyika, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi

Publication Date

7-1-2026

Abstract

Black soldier fly frass fertilizer (BSFFF) and push-pull (PP) technologies have been reported to increase crop productivity. However, there is limited information on the impact of these agricultural innovations on soil health and arthropod assemblages. Therefore, this study investigated the contribution of these agricultural innovations to soil parameters, soil arthropod communities, functional groups, and soil biological qualities across 2 cropping seasons and 3 agroecological zones. Cropping systems consisted of maize and cowpeas, organized from monocropping to more diversified systems, thereby forming 12 cropping systems. Results show that soil factors (pH, phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium, and carbon) improved significantly in plots with BSFFF and PP plots. Using pitfall traps and Berlese-Tullgren funnels, a total of 21,848 individuals representing 28 higher and 93 lower taxa were collected. The most predominant taxa were Collembola, Hymenoptera, Araneae, Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Diptera, Amphipoda, Protura, Diplura and Pauropoda, especially in PP and BSFFF plots. The abundance of predators, microbivores, and detritivores was significantly enhanced in PP and BSFFF. Plots with BSFFF and PP exhibited the highest soil biological quality (QBS-ar) values compared to monocrops with mineral fertilizer and unfertilized monocrops. Collembola, Protura, Diplura, Pauropoda, Chilopoda, Diplopoda, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, and Araneae were the most responsive taxa due to their high sensitivity to changes in soil parameters. These findings have demonstrated that both PP and BSFFF significantly improved soil health and beneficial soil arthropod communities, potentially closing gaps in agricultural productivity and food security.

Keywords

Agricultural diversification, Functional groups, Mesofauna, Soil biological quality, Sustainable intensification

Recommended Citation

Omuse, E., Machekano, H., Mutyambai, D., Tanga, C., Sokame, B., Beesigamukama, D., Nyasani, J., Subramanian, S., & Chidawanyika, F. (2026). Response of soil health, arthropod biodiversity and multifunctionality to frass fertilizer and intensified push-pull technologies in varying agro-ecologies. Applied Soil Ecology, 223 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2026.107067