Maize

Row Crops
Written By Marianne Shetler

Black Soldier Fly (BSF) Frass:

  • Significantly increased maize grain yield by 7–27% compared to commercial fertilizers and conventional composts.

  • Showed higher nitrogen (N) uptake than commercial organic fertilizer (SAFI) treated plots.

  • Yield data from BSFFF-treated plots were comparable to or higher than urea-treated plots.

  • Improved maize plant height, chlorophyll concentration, and N and phosphorus (P) uptake.

  • Showed potential for enhanced drought tolerance, disease suppression, and overall crop growth.

  • Improved maize plant growth and upregulated defense genes, increasing resistance against Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm), leading to reduced herbivore feeding and higher N use efficiency.

  • Economic returns: Net income from maize grown using BSFFF combined with NPK was significantly higher than with sole NPK or other organic fertilizers.

Marianne Shetler
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