The Effect of Mealworm Frass on the Chemical and Microbiological Properties of Horticultural Peat in an Incubation Experiment

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Dec 20;20(1):21. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20010021.

Abstract

Insect farming is growing in popularity, and in addition to insect meal, it generates waste products such as exuviae and frass, which can be recycled in agriculture. The aim of this incubation experiment was to evaluate the effect of Tenebrio molitor L. frass on selected chemical and biological properties of deacidified peat, which is widely used in horticulture. The optimal rate of frass fertilizer in peat for growing vegetables and ornamental plants was determined, with special emphasis on mineral nitrogen levels. Peat was fertilized with five nitrogen rates, 0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg dm-3, and supplied with frass or urea. The study demonstrated that frass can be used as organic fertilizer. An increase in the nitrogen rate significantly increased mineral nitrogen content and electrical conductivity and decreased Ca content in peat. Both frass and urea increased the ammonification rate at the beginning of incubation and the nitrification rate from the second week of the experiment. Higher frass rates (5 and 10 g dm-3) increased the content of plant-available nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and sodium) in peat as well as the abundance of microorganisms supporting organic matter mineralization. Unlike frass, urea increased the counts of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in peat.

Keywords: EC; Tenebrio molitor L.; deacidified peat; frass; nutrients; pH; urea (46% N).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Fertilizers
  • Horticulture
  • Minerals
  • Nitrogen
  • Plants
  • Soil* / chemistry
  • Tenebrio*
  • Urea

Substances

  • Soil
  • Fertilizers
  • Minerals
  • Urea
  • Nitrogen

Grants and funding

The results presented in this paper were obtained as part of a comprehensive study financed by the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Department of Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry (Grant No. 30.610.003-110) and Department of Entomology, Phytopathology and Molecular Diagnostics (Grant No. 30.610.010-110). The project was financially supported by the Minister of Education and Science under the program entitled “Regional Initiative of Excellence” for the years 2019–2023, Project No. 010/RID/2018/19, amount of funding 12.000.000 PLN.