A New Organic Amendment Based on Insect Frass for Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) Cultivation

Zim, Jamaa; Aitikkou, Amlal; Omari, Moulay Hicham EL; Malahi, Soumia EL; Azim, Khalid; Hirich, Abdelaziz; Nilahyane, Abdelaziz; Oumouloud, Ali

doi:10.3390/environsciproc2022016028

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…However, when frass was applied with a synthetic N‐P‐K fertilizer, biomass and nutrient uptake increased (Houben et al., 2020). Moreover, combining BSFF with synthetic fertilizers improved rice plant growth (Reswita et al., 2022; Zim et al., 2022). Lettuce plants grew better in soil amended with BSFF than in soil fertilized with urea or left unamended (Dzepe et al., 2022).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of frass from larvae of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) and yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) on growth and insect resistance in field mustard (Brassica rapa): differences between insect species and frass treatments

Chia,

van Loon,

Dicke

2024

Entomologia Exp Applicata

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Frass, a byproduct of insect rearing, has become popular for its potential use in sustainable agriculture. The rapid growth of insect production results in an increased frass output. This study examined the effects of frass as soil amendment on plant growth and resistance to insect herbivory. In greenhouse experiments, Brassica rapa L. (Brassicaceae), was grown in unamended soil (NoFrass; control) or soil amended with frass (2 g kg−1) from larvae of black soldier fly (BSFF), Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), or yellow mealworm (MWF), Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Frass was applied as raw, incubated, or composted frass before seed germination. Plant growth and performance were measured of larvae of root‐feeding Delia radicum L. (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) and shoot‐feeding Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). Initially, raw BSFF and MWF reduced the growth of B. rapa and resulted in a smaller leaf area than NoFrass. However, over time, a notable trend emerged. Whereas the difference in leaf area between MWF and NoFrass disappeared, BSFF consistently resulted in a smaller leaf area than MWF and NoFrass. Raw BSFF reduced D. radicum larval survival and pupal biomass and larval survival of P. xylostella. In contrast, raw MWF increased larval survival and biomass of D. radicum and the survival of P. xylostella larvae. Interestingly, incubation of frass in the soil for 16 days before seed germination removed plant growth inhibition and increased plant leaf area, especially for MWF compared to NoFrass. In addition, composting MWF increased leaf growth. Therefore, frass may be used as a sustainable and natural alternative to conventional organic fertilisers, promoting plant growth and enhancing resistance to herbivory. Our results indicate that soil amendment with raw BSFF may negatively impact herbivore performance, whereas raw MWF may enhance herbivore performance.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Lettuce plants grew better in soil amended with BSFF than in soil fertilized with urea or left unamended (Dzepe et al., 2022). Compared to unamended sandy soil, zucchini plants grown in BSFF‐ and MWF‐treated soil were considerably taller and had bigger leaf area and dry leaf weights (Zim et al., 2022).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of frass from larvae of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) and yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) on growth and insect resistance in field mustard (Brassica rapa): differences between insect species and frass treatments

Chia,

van Loon,

Dicke

2024

Entomologia Exp Applicata

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From a stored-product pest to a promising protein source: a U-turn of human perspective for the yellow mealworm Tenebrio molitor

Adamaki-Sotiraki,

Rumbos,

Athanassiou

2024

J Pest Sci

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A New Organic Amendment Based on Insect Frass for Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) Cultivation

Abstract: This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/).

Cited by 2 publications

References 8 publications

Effects of frass from larvae of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) and yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) on growth and insect resistance in field mustard (Brassica rapa): differences between insect species and frass treatments

Effects of frass from larvae of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) and yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) on growth and insect resistance in field mustard (Brassica rapa): differences between insect species and frass treatments

From a stored-product pest to a promising protein source: a U-turn of human perspective for the yellow mealworm Tenebrio molitor

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