Work

Black Soldier Fly Frass Combined with Ammonium Sulfate Enhances Maize Productivity and Nitrogen Use Efficiency Under Calcareous Soil Conditions

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Efficient nitrogen (N) management in calcareous soils remains challenging due to limited nutrient availability, poor synchronization between N supply and crop demand, and low fertilizer use efficiency. While black soldier fly frass (BSFF) represents an emerging organic amendment, its comparative effects relative to vermicompost (VC) and mineral N fertilizers under calcareous soil conditions remain insufficiently understood. In this study, we evaluated the effects of BSFF- and VC-based integrated organic–mineral fertilization strategies involving urea (U) and ammonium sulfate (AS) on maize productivity, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and selected soil chemical properties. A two-year field experiment was conducted at Quzhou Experimental Station, China Agricultural University, using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with nine treatments: unfertilized control (CK), sole mineral fertilizers (U and AS), sole organic amendments (BSFF and VC), and integrated combinations (UBSFF, UVC, ASBSFF, and ASVC). All fertilizer treatments received 180 kg N ha−1 and were replicated three times. Our results showed that ASBSFF increased maize grain yield by 101.9–114.6% compared with CK across both growing seasons, while ASVC increased yield by 92.5–103.9%. ASBSFF also resulted in the highest N uptake, increasing it by 121.3% compared with CK, and achieved the highest agronomic efficiency (26.01–27.51 kg grain kg−1 N applied), apparent recovery efficiency (63.2%), and physiological efficiency (57.13–59.18 kg grain kg−1 N uptake). BSFF-based integrated treatments increased soil NH4+-N, NO3−-N, available phosphorus, and available potassium compared with VC-based treatments, likely due to differences in nutrient composition between BSFF and VC. Overall, combining BSFF with mineral N fertilizers, particularly AS, improved maize productivity and NUE in calcareous soils, demonstrating its potential as a sustainable nutrient management strategy.

Source: Plants

DOI: 10.3390/plants15182786

Authors: Lasab Belachew Eshete, Augustine Talababie Phiri, Hongyan Zhang, Qihui Chen, Frank Mnthambala

Institutions: China Agricultural University, Mzuzu University

Language: English

Topic: Agricultural Science and Fertilization

Subfield: Soil Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Responsible consumption and production, Life on land

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,258