Combining Tenebrio molitor frass with inorganic nitrogen fertilizer to improve soil properties, growth parameters, and nutrient content of Sonchus oleraceus crop.

Abstract

This study evaluates the impact of yellow mealworm frass in combination with an inorganic nitrogen fertilizer on growth, yield, and nutrient concentration in annual sowthistle plants. It was found that the combined application of yellow mealworm frass (YM-frass) as basal fertilizer and inorganic nitrogen fertilizer (INF) as top dressing increased the shoot biomass of annual sowthistle up to 67.2 % compared to the INF treatment (100 kg N/ha). The application of both YM-frass and INF increased P, Mg and Fe root concentration. Moreover, the lowest P and K concentration in shoot tissues were found in the unfertilized control treatment, while the reverse was the case for Ca and Fe. In conclusion, yellow mealworm frass can be used instead of inorganic basal fertilizer, whereas its combination with an inorganic nitrogen fertilizer applied as top-dressing during the vegetative growth can increase the yield and quality of leafy vegetables.