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

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 forcrop production remains largely unknown. Comparative studies between BSFFF and commercialorganic fertilizer (SAFI) were undertaken under field conditions to determine synchrony of N releasefor 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 bothorganic inputs. Results showed that maize from BSFFF treated plots had higher N uptake than thatfrom SAFI treated plots. High N immobilization was observed throughout the active growth stagesof maize grown in soil amended with BSFFF, whereas soil treated with SAFI achieved net N release atthe silking stage. Up to three times higher negative N fluxes were observed in SAFI amended soils ascompared with BSFFF treated plots at the tasseling stage. The BSFFF applied at 30 and 60 kg N ha−1achieved significantly higher NFE than all SAFI treatments. Our findings revealed that BSFFF is apromising and sustainable alternative to SAFI or urea for enhanced maize production