Mealworm Larvae Frass Exhibits a Plant Biostimulant Effect on Lettuce, Boosting Productivity beyond Just Nutrient Release or Improved Soil Properties
<p>Climatological normal data for the region (1981–2010) and monthly average air temperature and precipitation during the experimental period.</p> "> Figure 2
<p>Dry matter yield of lettuce across fertilization treatments [control (Cont), Nutrimais (Nutri), black soldier fly larvae frass (BSFly), mealworm larvae frass (Mealw), half the rate ammonium nitrate (HalfR), full rate of ammonium nitrate (FullR)] in the first growing cycle. Means with the same letter are not significantly different (Tukey’s HSD test, α = 0.05). Vertical bars represent standard errors.</p> "> Figure 3
<p>Dry matter yield of lettuce across fertilization treatments [control (Cont), Nutrimais (Nutri), black soldier fly larvae frass (BSFly), mealworm larvae frass (Mealw), half the rate ammonium nitrate (HalfR), full rate of ammonium nitrate (FullR)] in the second growing cycle, in pots that received (<b>a</b>) and did not receive (<b>b</b>) the second dose of organic amendments and fertilizers. Means with the same letter are not significantly different (Tukey’s HSD test, α = 0.05). Vertical bars represent standard errors.</p> "> Figure 4
<p>Nitrogen (N) concentration in lettuce tissues across fertilization treatments [control (Cont), Nutrimais (Nutri), black soldier fly larvae frass (BSFly), mealworm larvae frass (Mealw), half the rate ammonium nitrate (HalfR), full rate of ammonium nitrate (FullR)] in the first growing cycle. Means with the same letter are not significantly different (Tukey’s HSD test, α = 0. 05). Vertical bars represent standard errors.</p> "> Figure 5
<p>Nitrogen (N) concentration in lettuce tissues across fertilization treatments [control (Cont), Nutrimais (Nutri), black soldier fly larvae frass (BSFly), mealworm larvae frass (Mealw), half the rate ammonium nitrate (HalfR), full rate of ammonium nitrate (FullR)] in the second growing cycle, in pots that received (<b>a</b>) and did not receive (<b>b</b>) the second dose of organic amendments and fertilizers. Means with the same letter are not significantly different (Tukey’s HSD test, α = 0.05). Vertical bars represent standard errors.</p> "> Figure 6
<p>Nitrate (NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>) concentration in lettuce tissues across fertilization treatments [control (Cont), Nutrimais (Nutri), black soldier fly larvae frass (BSFly), mealworm larvae frass (Mealw), half the rate ammonium nitrate (HalfR), full rate of ammonium nitrate (FullR)] in the first growing cycle. Means with the same letter are not significantly different (Tukey’s HSD test, α = 0.05). Vertical bars represent standard errors.</p> "> Figure 7
<p>Nitrate (NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>) concentration in lettuce tissues across fertilization treatments [control (Cont), Nutrimais (Nutri), black soldier fly larvae frass (BSFly), mealworm larvae frass (Mealw), half the rate ammonium nitrate (HalfR), full rate of ammonium nitrate (FullR)] in the second growing cycle, in pots that received (<b>a</b>) and did not receive (<b>b</b>) the second dose of organic amendments and fertilizers. Means with the same letter are not significantly different (Tukey’s HSD test, α = 0.05). Vertical bars represent standard errors.</p> ">
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Experimental Conditions
2.2. Experimental Design and Fertilizing Materials
2.3. Conducting the Experiment
2.4. Sampling and Laboratory Analyses
2.5. Data Analysis
3. Results
3.1. Lettuce Dry Matter Yield
3.2. Plant Nitrogen Nutritional Status
3.3. Concentration of Other Macro and Micronutrients in the Tissues
3.4. Residual Effect of Treatments on Inorganic Nitrogen in Soil and Oat Crop
3.5. Soil Properties
4. Discussion
4.1. Mealworm Larvae Frass
4.2. Black Soldier Fly Frass
4.3. Nutrimais
4.4. Residual Effect of Fertilization and Soil Properties
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
- United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. World Population Prospects: The 2017 Revision, Key Findings and Advance Tables (ESA/P/WP/248); United Nations: New York, NY, USA, 2017. [Google Scholar]
- Terfa, N.G. Role of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae frass bio-fertilizer on vegetable growth and sustainable farming in Sub-Saharan Africa. Rev. Agric. Sci. 2021, 9, 92–102. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Pretty, J.; Toulmin, C.; Williams, S. Sustainable intensification in African agriculture. Int. J. Agric. Sustain. 2011, 9, 5–24. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Scotti, R.; Dascoli, R.; Gonzalez Caceres, M.; Bonanomi, G.; Sultana, S.; Cozzolino, L.; Rao, M.A. Combined use of compost and wood scraps to increase carbon stock and improve soil quality in intensive farming systems. Eur. J. Soil Sci. 2015, 66, 463–475. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kopittke, P.M.; Menzies, N.W.; Wang, P.; McKenna, B.A.; Lombi, E. Soil and the intensification of agriculture for global food security. Environ. Int. 2019, 232, 105078. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Fahad, S.; Ullah, A.; Ali, U.; Ali, E.; Saud, S.; Hakeem, K.R.; Arif, M. Drought tolerance in plants: Role of phytohormones and scavenging system of ROS. In Plant Tolerance to Environmental Stress; CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, USA, 2019; pp. 103–114. [Google Scholar]
- Gong, W.; Yan, X.; Wang, J.; Hu, T.; Gong, Y. Long-term manure and fertilizer effects on soil organic matter fractions and microbes under a wheat–maize cropping system in northern China. Geoderma 2009, 149, 318–324. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Hakeem, K.R.; Dar, G.H.; Mehmood, M.A.; Bhat, R.A. Microbiota and Biofertilizers: A Sustainable Continuum for Plant and Soil Health; Springer International Publishing: Cham, Switzerland, 2021. [Google Scholar]
- Savci, S. Investigation of effect of chemical fertilizers on environment. Apcbee Procedia 2012, 1, 287–292. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Huber, G.; Schaub, C. La fertilité des sols: L’importance de la matière organique. In Agriculture et Terroir; Chambre d‘Agriculture Bas Rhin: Schiltigheim, France, 2011. [Google Scholar]
- Weil, R.R.; Brady, N.C. The Nature and Properties of Soils; Pearson Education Limited: Edinburgh, UK, 2017. [Google Scholar]
- Azizi, S.; Thomas, T.; Rao, S. Effect of different levels of chemical fertilizers on soil physicochemical properties of inceptisols. Int. J. Multidisc. Res. Dev. 2016, 3, 29–32. [Google Scholar]
- Lopes, J.I.; Gonçalves, A.; Brito, C.; Martins, S.; Pinto, L.; Moutinho-Pereira, J.; Raimundo, S.; Arrobas, M.; Rodrigues, M.A.; Correia, C.M. Inorganic fertilization at high n rate increased olive yield of a rainfed orchard but reduced soil organic matter in comparison to three organic amendments. Agronomy 2021, 11, 2172. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Bonanomi, G.; Ascoli, R.; Antignani, V.; Capodilupo, M.; Cozzolino, L.; Marzaioli, R.; Puopolo, G.; Rutigliano, F.A.; Scelza, R.; Scotti, R.; et al. Assessing soil quality under intensive cultivation and tree orchards in Southern Italy. Appl. Soil Ecol. 2011, 47, 187–194. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Goss, M.J.; Tubeileh, A.; Goorahoo, D. A review of the use of organic amendments and the risk to human health. Adv. Agron. 2013, 120, 275–379. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Rodrigues, M.A.; Ladeira, L.C.; Arrobas, M. Azotobacter-enriched organic manures to increase nitrogen fixation and crop productivity. Eur. J. Agron. 2018, 93, 88–94. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Nanda, S.; Berruti, F. Municipal solid waste management and landfilling technologies: A review. Environ. Chem. Lett. 2021, 19, 1433–1456. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Arrobas, M.; Carvalho, J.T.N.; Raimundo, S.; Poggere, G.; Rodrigues, M.A. The safe use of compost derived from municipal solid waste depends on its composition and conditions of application. Soil Use Manag. 2022, 38, 917–928. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Dhanker, R.; Chaudhary, S.; Goyal, S.; Garg, V.K. Influence of urban sewage sludge amendment on agricultural soil parameters. Environ. Technol. Innov. 2021, 23, 101642. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Arrobas, M.; Meneses, R.; Gusmão, A.G.; da Silva, J.M.; Correia, C.M.; Rodrigues, M.Â. Nitrogen-rich sewage sludge mineralized quickly, improving lettuce nutrition and yield, with reduced risk of heavy metal contamination of soil and plant tissues. Agronomy 2024, 14, 924. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Afonso, S.; Pereira, E.; Arrobas, M.; Rodrigues, M.A. Recycling nutrient-rich hop leaves by composting with wheat straw and farmyard manure in suitable mixtures. J. Environ. Manag. 2021, 284, 112105. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Policastro, G.; Cesaro, A. Composting of organic solid waste of municipal origin: The role of research in enhancing its sustainability. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20, 312. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Beesigamukama, D.; Mochoge, B.; Korir, N.; Musyoka, M.W.; Fiaboe, K.; Nakimbugwe, D.; Tanga, C.M. Nitrogen fertilizer equivalence of black soldier fly frass fertilizer and synchrony of nitrogen mineralization for maize production. Agronomy 2020, 10, 1395. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Beesigamukama, D.; Subramanian, S.; Tanga, C.M. Nutrient quality and maturity status of frass fertilizer from nine edible insects. Sci. Rep. 2022, 12, 7182. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed (IPIFF). IPIFF Contribution Paper on the Application of Insect Frass as Fertilising Product in Agriculture; IPIFF: Brussels, Belgium, 2019. [Google Scholar]
- EC (European Commission). Circular Economy Action Plan: The European Green Deal; European Union: Brussels, Belgium, 2020. [Google Scholar]
- Pickett, J.A. Food security: Intensification of agriculture is essential, for which current tools must be defended and new sustainable technologies invented. Food Energy Secur. 2013, 2, 167–173. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Liu, T.; Bruins, R.J.F.; Heberling, M.T. Factors Influencing Farmers’ Adoption of Best Management Practices: A Review and Synthesis. Sustainability 2018, 10, 432. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Dzepe, D.; Mbenda, T.K.; Ngassa, G.; Mube, H.; Chia, S.Y.; Aoudou, Y.; Djouaka, R. Application of black soldier fly frass, Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) as sustainable organic fertilizer for lettuce, Lactuca sativa production. Open J. Appl. Sci. 2022, 12, 1632–1648. [Google Scholar]
- Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA). Normais Climatológicas. 2024. Available online: https://www.ipma.pt/pt/oclima/normais.clima/ (accessed on 15 April 2024).
- Meier, U. Growth Stages of Mono and Dicotyledonous Plants; Federal Biological Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry: Berlin, Germany, 2018. [Google Scholar]
- Temminghoff, E.E.; Houba, V.J. Plant Analysis Procedures, 2nd ed.; Kluwer Academic Publishers: London, UK, 2004. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Baird, R.B.; Eaton, A.D.; Rice, E.W. Nitrate by ultraviolet spectrophotometric method. In Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater; American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association, Water Environment Federation: Washington, DC, USA, 2017. [Google Scholar]
- Van Reeuwijk, L.P. Procedures for Soil Analysis, 6th ed.; Technical Paper 9; ISRIC; FAO: Rome, Italy, 2002. [Google Scholar]
- FAO. Standard Operating Procedure for Soil Available Micronutrients (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn) and Heavy Metals (Ni, Pb, Cd), DTPA Extraction Method; FAO: Rome, Italy, 2022; Available online: https://www.fao.org/3/cc0048en/cc0048en.pdf (accessed on 9 April 2024).
- Yahbi, M.; Nabloussi, A.; Maataoui, A.; El Alami, N.; Boutagayout, A.; Daoui, K. Effects of nitrogen rates on yield, yield components, and other related attributes of different rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) varieties. OCL 2022, 29, 8. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Aghabeygi, M.; Dönmez, C. Estimating yield response functions to nitrogen for annual crops in Iran. Agronomy 2024, 14, 436. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Houben, D.; Daoulas, G.; Faucon, M.P.; Dulaurent, A.M. Potential use of mealworm frass as a fertilizer: Impact on crop growth and soil properties. Sci. Rep. 2020, 10, 4659. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Myrold, D.D.; Bottomley, P.Y. Nitrogen mineralization and immobilization. In Nitrogen in Agricultural Systems; Schepers, J., Raun, W.R., Eds.; Agronomy Monograph No. 49; ASA, CSSA, SSSA: Madison, WI, USA, 2008; pp. 157–172. [Google Scholar]
- Cao, Y.; Zhao, F.; Zhang, Z.; Zhu, T.; Xiao, H. Biotic and abiotic nitrogen immobilization in soil incorporated with crop residue. Soil Tillage Res. 2020, 202, 104664. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Xie, J.; Shi, X.; Zhang, Y.; Wan, Y.; Hu, Q.; Zhang, Y.; Wang, J.; He, X.; Evgenia, B. Improved nitrogen use efficiency, carbon sequestration and reduced environmental contamination under a gradient of manure application. Soil Tillage Res. 2022, 220, 105386. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Bryson, G.M.; Mills, H.A.; Sasseville, D.N.; Jones, J.J., Jr.; Barker, A.V. Plant Analysis Handbook II: A Guide to Sampling, Preparation, Analysis, Interpretation and Use of Results of Agronomic and Horticultural Crop Plant Tissue; Micro-Macro Publishing, Inc.: Athens, GA, USA, 2014. [Google Scholar]
- Havlin, J.L.; Beaton, J.D.; Tisdale, S.L.; Nelson, W.L. Soil Fertility and Fertilizers: An Introduction to Nutrient Management, 8th ed.; Pearson, Inc.: Chennai, India, 2017. [Google Scholar]
- Rodrigues, M.Â.; Torres, L.N.D.; Damo, L.; Raimundo, S.; Sartor, L.; Cassol, L.C.; Arrobas, M. Nitrogen use efficiency and crop yield in four successive crops following application of biochar and zeolites. J. Soil Sci. Plant Nutr. 2021, 21, 1053–1065. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Almeida, D. Manual de Culturas Hortícolas, 2nd ed.; Editorial Presença: Queluz de Baixo, Portugal, 2006; Volume 1. [Google Scholar]
- Li, G.; Huang, G.; Li, H.; van Ittersum, M.K.; Leffelaar, P.A.; Zhang, F. Identifying potential strategies in the key sectors of China’s food chain to implement sustainable phosphorus management: A review. Nutr. Cycl. Agroecosyst. 2016, 104, 341–359. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Tian, D.; Li, Z.; O’Connor, D.; Shen, Z. The need to prioritize sustainable phosphate-based fertilizers. Soil Use Manag. 2020, 36, 351–354. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Du, M.; Zhang, W.; Gao, J.; Liu, M.; Zhou, Y.; He, D.; Zhao, Y.; Liu, S. Improvement of root characteristics due to nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium interactions increases rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield and nitrogen use efficiency. Agronomy 2022, 12, 23. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Su, L.; Bai, T.; Qin, X.; Yu, H.; Wu, G.; Zhao, Q.; Tan, L. Organic manure induced soil food web of microbes and nematodes drive soil organic matter under jackfruit planting. Appl. Soil Ecol. 2021, 166, 103994. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Hua, W.; Luo, P.; An, N.; Cai, F.; Zhang, S.; Chen, K.; Yang, J.; Han, X. Manure application increased crop yields by promoting nitrogen use efficiency in the soils of 40-year soybean-maize rotation. Sci. Rep. 2020, 10, 14882. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Dimande, P.; Arrobas, M.; Rodrigues, M.Â. Effect of bat guano and biochar on okra yield and some soil properties. Horticulturae 2023, 9, 728. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Poveda, J.; Jiménez-Gómez, A.; Saati-Santamaría, Z.; Usategui-Martín, R.; Rivas, R.; García-Fraile, P. Mealworm frass as a potential biofertilizer and abiotic stress tolerance-inductor in plants. Appl. Soil Ecol. 2019, 142, 110–122. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Fuertes-Mendizábal, T.; Salcedo, I.; Huérfano, X.; Riga, P.; Estavillo, J.M.; Ávila Blanco, D.; Duñabeitia, M.K. Mealworm frass as a potential organic fertilizer in synergy with pgp-based biostimulant for lettuce plants. Agronomy 2023, 13, 1258. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Menino, R.; Felizes, F.; Castelo-Branco, M.A.; Fareleira, P.; Moreira, O.; Nunes, R.; Murta, D. Agricultural value of black soldier fly larvae frass as organic fertilizer on ryegrass. Heliyon 2021, 7, e05855. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Chavez, M.Y.; Uchanski, M.; Tomberlin, J.K. Impacts of black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens, larval frass on lettuce and arugula production. Front. Sustain. Food Syst. 2024, 8, 1399932. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Carroll, A.; Fitzpatrick, M.; Hodge, S. The effects of two organic soil amendments, biochar and insect frass fertilizer, on shoot growth of cereal seedlings. Plants 2023, 12, 1071. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Hawkesford, M.J.; Cakmak, I.; Coskun, D.; De Kok, L.J.; Lambers, H.; Schjoerring, J.K.; White, P.J. Functions of macronutrients. In Marschner’s Mineral Nutrition of Higher Plants, 4th ed.; Rengel, Z., Cakmak, I., White, P.J., Eds.; Academic Press: Cambridge, MA, USA; Elsevier: London, UK, 2023; pp. 201–281. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Conversa, G.; Bonasia, A.; Lazzizera, C.; La Rotonda, P.; Elia, A. Reduction of nitrate content in baby-leaf lettuce and Cichorium endivia through the soilless cultivation system, electrical conductivity and management of nutrient solution. Front. Plant Sci. 2021, 12, 645671. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Luetic, S.; Knezovic, Z.; Jurcic, K.; Majic, Z.; Tripkovic, K.; Sutlovic, D. Leafy vegetable nitrite and nitrate content: Potential health effects. Foods 2023, 12, 1655. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Arrobas, M.; de Almeida, S.F.; Raimundo, S.; da Silva Domingues, L.; Rodrigues, M.Â. Leonardites rich in humic and fulvic acids had little effect on tissue elemental composition and dry matter yield in pot-grown olive cuttings. Soil Syst. 2022, 6, 7. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Arrobas, M.; Andrade, M.; Raimundo, S.; Mazaro, S.M.; Rodrigues, M.A. Lettuce response to the application of two commercial leonardites and their effect on soil properties in a growing medium with nitrogen as the main limiting factor. J. Plant Nutr. 2023, 46, 4280–4294. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Silva, E.; Arrobas, M.; Gonçalves, A.; Martins, S.; Raimundo, S.; Pinto, L.; Brito, C.; Moutinho-Pereira, J.; Correia, C.M.; Rodrigues, M.A. A controlled-release fertilizer improved soil fertility but not olive tree performance. Nutr. Cycl. Agroecosyst. 2021, 120, 1–15. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Godbold, D.L.; Hoosbeek, M.R.; Lukac, M.; Cotrufo, M.F.; Janssens, I.A.; Ceulemans, R.; Polle, A.; Velthorst, E.J.; Scarascia-Mugnozza, G.; Angelis, P.; et al. Mycorrhizal hyphal turnover as a dominant process for carbon input into soil organic matter. Plant Soil 2006, 281, 15–24. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Högberg, M.N.; Skyllberg, U.; Högberg, P.; Knicker, H. Does ectomycorrhiza have a universal key role in the formation of soil organic matter in boreal forests? Soil Biol. Biochem. 2020, 140, 107635. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
BSFly | Mealw | Nutri | |
---|---|---|---|
Moisture content (%) | 25.3 ± 0.72 | 7.4 ± 0.05 | 8.0 ± 0.19 |
pH (H2O) | 7.6 ± 0.21 | 6.5 ± 0.31 | 8.1 ± 0.15 |
El. conduct. (mS cm−1) | 9.9 ± 0.46 | 7.3 ± 0.56 | 9.7 ± 0.45 |
Carbon (g kg−1) | 499.5 ± 2.30 | 517.7 ± 0.64 | 419.0 ± 3.90 |
Nitrogen (g kg−1) | 26.8 ± 0.06 | 31.3 ± 0.51 | 25.3 ± 1.00 |
Carbon/nitrogen ratio | 18.6 ± 0.11 | 16.5 ± 0.26 | 16.5 ± 1.14 |
Phosphorus (g kg−1) | 11.7 ± 0.66 | 10.7 ± 0.18 | 4.8 ± 0.13 |
Potassium (g kg−1) | 31.2 ± 0.89 | 18.4 ± 2.11 | 17.3 ± 0.16 |
Calcium (g kg−1) | 3.1 ± 0.02 | 3.8 ± 0.07 | 75.9 ± 3.12 |
Magnesium (g kg−1) | 4.9 ± 0.06 | 6.5 ± 0.28 | 3.2 ± 0.07 |
Boron (mg kg−1) | 32.3 ± 0.35 | 26.0 ± 0.61 | 8.3 ± 0.65 |
Iron (mg kg−1) | 761.9 ±31.11 | 422.9 ± 12.18 | 5230.3 ± 212.42 |
Manganese (mg kg−1) | 87.4 ± 1.50 | 155.7 ± 5.67 | 133.7 ± 2.96 |
Zinc (mg kg−1) | 108.8 ± 0.94 | 107.5 ± 1.82 | 103.7 ± 2.60 |
Copper (mg kg−1) | 19.6 ± 0.36 | 14.0 ± 0.21 | 36.5 ± 0.10 |
Apparent N Recovery (%) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
1st GC | 2nd CG (without) | 2nd GC (with) | Total (1st + 2nd with) | |
Nutri | −4.0 | 0.6 | −1.0 | −2.5 |
BSFly | 11.1 | 20.5 | 10.8 | 10.9 |
Mealw | 37.3 | 41.3 | 37.6 | 37.4 |
HalfR | 96.6 | 105.9 | 59.0 | 78.3 |
FullR | 71.9 | 87.2 | 52.0 | 62.0 |
P | K | Ca | Mg | B | Fe | Mn | Zn | Cu | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
g kg−1 | mg kg−1 | |||||||||
Cont | 2.6 c | 43.8 b | 6.9 ab | 2.3 b | 35.5 a | 2161.9 a | 88.4 bc | 76.1 ab | 32.7 a | |
Nutri | 2.7 c | 53.5 ab | 8.3 a | 2.7 ab | 32.8 a | 2062.8 a | 73.8 c | 58.4 b | 29.4 ab | |
BSFly | 3.2 b | 54.2 ab | 7.2 ab | 2.3 b | 34.3 a | 1889.1 a | 86.0 c | 67.7 ab | 33.8 a | |
Mealw | 3.7 a | 56.4 a | 7.3 ab | 2.4 ab | 34.6 a | 1407.5 b | 82.1 c | 71.9 ab | 28.3 ab | |
HalfR | 2.6 c | 44.1 ab | 7.2 ab | 2.5 ab | 33.9 a | 1133.2 b | 103.2 ab | 80.0 ab | 25.6 b | |
FullR | 2.6 c | 45.0 ab | 6.7 b | 2.9 a | 31.3 a | 1115.1 b | 107.0 a | 87.7 a | 23.9 b | |
Prob | <0.0001 | 0.0077 | 0.0453 | 0.0115 | 0.1314 | <0.0001 | <0.0001 | 0.0118 | 0.0002 |
P | K | Ca | Mg | B | Fe | Mn | Zn | Cu | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
g kg−1 | mg kg−1 | |||||||||
Cont | 1.3 a | 49.5 a | 8.9 a | 3.8 a | 27.8 a | 1332.5 ab | 70.5 a | 57.2 a | 11.0 ab | |
Nutri | 1.0 a | 50.7 a | 9.5 a | 4.1 a | 26.1 a | 1487.8 a | 58.8 a | 70.4 a | 14.8 a | |
BSFly | 1.1 a | 49.9 a | 7.5 b | 3.2 a | 27.9 a | 660.2 ab | 62.1 a | 79.1 a | 10.0 b | |
Mealw | 1.0 a | 50.2 a | 7.2 b | 3.5 a | 27.7 a | 816.9 ab | 84.1 a | 68.9 a | 11.4 ab | |
HalfR | 0.9 a | 41.4 ab | 7.5 b | 4.0 a | 24.2 a | 733.4 ab | 80.6 a | 76.8 a | 12.5 ab | |
FullR | 1.3 a | 39.6 b | 6.7 b | 3.8 a | 22.8 a | 570.9 b | 87.6 a | 79.3 a | 12.2 ab | |
Prob | 0.3630 | 0.0300 | <0.0001 | 0.2630 | 0.0554 | 0.0171 | 0.1772 | 0.4862 | 0.0476 |
P | K | Ca | Mg | B | Fe | Mn | Zn | Cu | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
g kg−1 | mg kg−1 | |||||||||
Cont | 1.2 a | 47.8 a | 9.1 a | 3.9 a | 27.2 ab | 1117.0 a | 69.0 a | 63.1 a | 11.6 a | |
Nutri | 1.1 a | 47.4 a | 7.9 a | 3.3 a | 27.6 a | 1058.4 a | 53.5 a | 58.0 a | 10.8 a | |
BSFly | 1.2 a | 42.2 a | 7.3 a | 3.3 a | 27.2 a | 691.2 a | 54.5 a | 54.3 a | 10.0 a | |
Mealw | 0.9 a | 38.9 a | 8.3 a | 3.5 a | 28.3 ab | 983.7 a | 74.3 a | 54.7 a | 13.3 a | |
HalfR | 1.1 a | 48.2 a | 9.1 a | 4.0 a | 28.7a | 986.0 a | 78.0 a | 75.0 a | 11.4 a | |
FullR | 1.1 a | 44.2 a | 7.0 a | 3.4 a | 23.8 b | 661.5 a | 87.2 a | 71.9 a | 10.6 a | |
Prob | 0.8482 | 0.1440 | 0.0686 | 0.0604 | 0.0119 | 0.2245 | 0.0443 | 0.4587 | 0.3428 |
Two Fertilizer Applications | Fertilizers Applied Once | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NO3−-N | NH4+-N | Inorg-N | NO3−-N | NH4+-N | Inorg-N | |
mg kg−1 | mg kg−1 | |||||
Cont | 2.2 b | 0.3 b | 2.5 b | 2.3 bc | 0.5 c | 2.8 b |
Nutri | 3.9 ab | 1.5 b | 5.4 b | 3.8 ab | 1.6 bc | 5.4 ab |
BSFly | 1.7 b | 1.8 b | 3.4 b | 1.4 c | 2.9 ab | 4.3 b |
Mealw | 4.1 ab | 3.4 b | 7.4 b | 4.3 a | 3.8 a | 8.1 a |
HalfR | 3.4 ab | 3.0 b | 6.4 b | 2.6 abc | 1.2 bc | 3.8 b |
FullR | 6.4 a | 10.1 a | 16.5 a | 3.0 abc | 2.7 ab | 5.7 ab |
Prob | 0.0039 | 0.0001 | <0.0001 | 0.0035 | 0.0013 | 0.0011 |
Two Fertilizer Applications | Fertilizers Applied Once | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DMY | Tissue N | N Recovery | DMY | Tissue N | N Recovery | |
g pot−1 | g kg−1 | mg pot−1 | g pot−1 | g kg−1 | mg pot−1 | |
Cont | 1.2 c | 17.0 a | 21.4 c | 1.3 b | 18.6 a | 26.0 a |
Nutri | 1.4 c | 16.1 a | 22.2 c | 1.3 b | 17.3 a | 22.0 a |
BSFly | 3.1 a | 15.7 a | 48.1 a | 2.0 a | 17.2 a | 34.3 a |
Mealw | 2.8 ab | 16.5 a | 46.2ab | 1.8 ab | 15.5 a | 28.3 a |
HalfR | 2.2 b | 15.9 a | 35.1 b | 1.4 ab | 17.7 a | 25.2 a |
FullR | 2.6 ab | 14.2 a | 37.3 ab | 1.5 ab | 16.8 a | 25.0 a |
Prob | <0.0001 | 0.0571 | <0.0001 | 0.0318 | 0.1232 | 0.3163 |
Cont | Nutr | BSFly | Mealw | HalfR | FullR | Prob | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Organic C (g kg−1) | 8.8 b | 9.9 ab | 11.4 a | 11.5 a | 8.4 b | 10.6 ab | 0.0337 |
pH (H2O) | 6.6 a | 6.7 a | 6.5 a | 6.7 a | 6.7 a | 6.5 a | 0.1076 |
Extract P (mg kg−1) | 124.5 bc | 148.8 bc | 216.6 a | 193.4 a | 89.8 c | 97.4 c | <0.0001 |
Extract K (mg kg−1) | 128.3 ab | 123.7 b | 151.7 a | 110.7 b | 83.3 c | 75.3 c | <0.0001 |
Exchang Ca (cmolc kg−1) | 16.0 a | 17.0 a | 16.8 a | 15.9 a | 16.4 a | 14.8 a | 0.2424 |
Exchang Mg (cmolc kg−1) | 5.3 bc | 5.3 bc | 6.4 a | 5.8 ab | 5.3 bc | 4.8 c | 0.0023 |
CEC (cmolc kg−1) | 21.9 a | 23.2 a | 24.0 a | 22.4 a | 22.4 a | 20.1 a | 0.0858 |
Extract Fe (mg kg−1) | 123.0 a | 106.4 a | 107.1 a | 100.3 a | 108.2 a | 107.7 a | 0.1963 |
Extract Zn (mg kg−1) | 4.1 a | 4.6 a | 5.1 a | 5.3 a | 4.0 a | 4.2 a | 0.2432 |
Extract Cu (mg kg−1) | 71.0 a | 67.7 a | 69.5 a | 67.0 a | 73.2 a | 75.3 a | 0.8506 |
Extract Mn (mg kg−1) | 176.3 a | 144.2 a | 153.6 a | 146.0 a | 159.5 a | 154.0 a | 0.0781 |
Cont | Nutri | BSFly | Mealw | HalfR | FullR | Prob | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Organic C (g kg−1) | 8.2 c | 11.2 a | 11.3 a | 10.5 ab | 8.6 bc | 9.4 abc | 0.0014 |
pH (H2O) | 6.5 a | 6.7 a | 6.7 a | 6.7 a | 6.5 a | 6.5 a | 0.0531 |
Extract P (mg kg−1) | 96.7 b | 153.9 a | 166.2 a | 163.4 a | 90.1 b | 90.3 b | <0.0001 |
Extract K (mg kg−1) | 104.0 b | 128.0 a | 115.3 b | 115.3 b | 91.7 c | 82.0 c | <0.0001 |
Exchang Ca (cmol+ kg−1) | 15.8 a | 17.1 a | 16.1 a | 15.9 a | 14.8 a | 15.4 a | 0.1119 |
Exchang Mg (cmol+ kg−1) | 5.3 ab | 5.3 ab | 5.8 a | 5.5 ab | 5.0 b | 4.9 b | 0.0147 |
CEC (cmolc kg−1) | 21.7 a | 23.2 a | 22.6 a | 22.0 a | 20.5 a | 20.9 a | 0.1178 |
Extract Fe (mg kg−1) | 117.8 a | 118.0 a | 109.0 a | 94.3 a | 108.7 a | 104.7 a | 0.2596 |
Extract Zn (mg kg−1) | 5.0 a | 5.1 a | 5.0 a | 4.9 a | 3.9 a | 4.1 a | 0.3151 |
Extract Cu (mg kg−1) | 71.2 a | 73.0 a | 76.0 a | 69.5 a | 69.0 a | 70.4 a | 0.8828 |
Extract Mn (mg kg−1) | 175.5 a | 162.0 a | 160.4 a | 137.8 a | 160.6 a | 151.0 a | 0.2789 |
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content. |
© 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. 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/).
Share and Cite
Foughar, M.; Arrobas, M.; Rodrigues, M.Â. Mealworm Larvae Frass Exhibits a Plant Biostimulant Effect on Lettuce, Boosting Productivity beyond Just Nutrient Release or Improved Soil Properties. Horticulturae 2024, 10, 711. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070711
Foughar M, Arrobas M, Rodrigues MÂ. Mealworm Larvae Frass Exhibits a Plant Biostimulant Effect on Lettuce, Boosting Productivity beyond Just Nutrient Release or Improved Soil Properties. Horticulturae. 2024; 10(7):711. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070711
Chicago/Turabian StyleFoughar, Meroua, Margarida Arrobas, and Manuel Ângelo Rodrigues. 2024. "Mealworm Larvae Frass Exhibits a Plant Biostimulant Effect on Lettuce, Boosting Productivity beyond Just Nutrient Release or Improved Soil Properties" Horticulturae 10, no. 7: 711. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070711