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Nitrogen Fertilizer Equivalence of Black Soldier Fly Frass Fertilizer and Synchrony of Nitrogen Mineralization for Maize Production
- Source :
- Agronomy, Vol 10, Iss 9, p 1395 (2020)
- Publication Year :
- 2020
- Publisher :
- MDPI AG, 2020.
-
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 for crop production remains largely unknown. Comparative studies between BSFFF and commercial organic fertilizer (SAFI) were undertaken under field conditions to determine synchrony of N release for 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 both organic inputs. Results showed that maize from BSFFF treated plots had higher N uptake than that from SAFI treated plots. High N immobilization was observed throughout the active growth stages of maize grown in soil amended with BSFFF, whereas soil treated with SAFI achieved net N release at the silking stage. Up to three times higher negative N fluxes were observed in SAFI amended soils as compared with BSFFF treated plots at the tasseling stage. The BSFFF applied at 30 and 60 kg N ha−1 achieved significantly higher NFE than all SAFI treatments. Our findings revealed that BSFFF is a promising and sustainable alternative to SAFI or urea for enhanced maize production.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 20734395
- Volume :
- 10
- Issue :
- 9
- Database :
- Directory of Open Access Journals
- Journal :
- Agronomy
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsdoj.1fc3f7950d4b4f22acdc0d67e063d2b1
- Document Type :
- article
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10091395