Black Soldier Fly Frass: Applications in Agriculture

In the search for sustainable agricultural inputs, black soldier fly frass (BSF  frass) has emerged as a promising organic fertilizer. Frass are the nutrient rich castings produced from the larvae of the Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly) and offer a natural way to boost soil fertility, improve plant growth, and enhance disease resistance. Black Soldier Flies (BSF) are reared as a source of protein for animal feed but are increasingly seen as a key source of novel biological products including antimicrobial peptides. While BSF protein has received most of the attention, some of the most exciting recent findings have been on frass. Research and private sector development have elevated frass as a new class of biostimulants with dramatic benefits for cropping systems.

The Science Behind BSF Frass

BSF frass is the waste product left behind after black soldier fly larvae digest organic matter, and it’s packed with nutrients that plants need to thrive. Studies have shown that BSF frass is high in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, making it an ideal organic fertilizer. But beyond its nutrient content, BSF  frass also contains beneficial microorganisms, chitin, and bioactive compounds that help plants fend off diseases and pests..

Research has highlighted several promising benefits of using BSF  frass in agriculture:

• Plant Growth: Multiple studies have shown that BSF  frass can significantly enhance plant growth. In a study by Agustiyani and coauthors (2021) BSF frass improved the yield of Pakchoi (Brassica rapa L) compared to inorganic fertilizers. 

• Disease Resistance: BSF  frass has also been linked to improved disease resistance in plants. A field trial with Bush beans showed that BSFL frass defends plants against fungal diseases: Rhizoctonia, Fusarium, and Pythium (Choi & Hassanzadeh, 2019).

• Nematode Resistance: The chitin in BSF  frass, derived from the larvae’s exoskeletons, has been found to boost plants’ resistance to parasitic nematodes. Research from Anedo and coauthors (2024) showed that frass applications reduced nematode cyst in soil used for potato production (potato marketable yield also improved). 

These findings suggest that BSF  frass can do more than just fertilize—it can protect plants from pests and diseases, creating a healthier growing environment.

The Limitations of Raw Frass

Despite these promising results, much of the scientific research on BSF  frass has focused on raw, unprocessed frass. While raw frass is rich in nutrients, it is not a fully mature compost, and this can limit its effectiveness in certain agricultural applications. Raw frass can be high in ammonia and other compounds that may harm plants if applied in excess. Moreover, the microbial communities in raw frass are still in flux, which may lead to inconsistent results in field applications.

This focus on raw frass in academic studies has created a gap between research and real-world agricultural practices. Raw frass, while valuable, does not always offer the same stability or long-term benefits as composted frass. Composting the frass allows for the breakdown of potentially harmful compounds, stabilization of nutrients, and enhancement of the beneficial microorganisms that can contribute to soil health and plant productivity.

Composting Frass: A Step Toward Sustainability

This is where companies like Nutrition Technologies come in. While most frass products available have largely focused on raw frass, Nutrition Technologies has been at the forefront of efforts to compost and refine BSF  frass into a stable, bio-active soil amendment. Their products, such as Diptia and Vitalis, represent a leap forward in the practical use of frass for agriculture.

By composting frass, Nutrition Technologies ensures that the organic material is fully broken down and enriched with beneficial microbes. This process stabilizes the nutrients, making them more readily available to plants, and reduces the risk of harmful byproducts like ammonia. Furthermore, composted frass tends to have a more consistent and balanced microbial community, which helps to suppress soil-borne diseases and pests, offering a reliable alternative to chemical fertilizers.

In the case of Diptia, for example, the product contains 80% organic matter and is rich in humic substances, amino acids, and beneficial bacteria such as Bacillus halotolerance. These components work together to improve nutrient availability, enhance disease resistance, and promote overall soil health. Meanwhile, Vitalis offers fast acting organic nutrients and enhanced plant health via a foliar spray or root drench. 

Investing in Productive Soils with Frass

The growing interest in BSF  frass in Malaysia and globally reflects a broader movement toward more sustainable and circular agricultural practices. By converting organic waste into nutrient-rich fertilizers, black soldier fly larvae offer an environmentally friendly way to recycle nutrients back into the soil. When frass is properly composted, as with the products from Nutrition Technologies, its potential for boosting plant growth and resilience is fully realized.

While research on raw frass has demonstrated its value, the future of BSF  frass in agriculture lies in composting and refining it into high-quality, bio-active fertilizers that are powerful tools for enhancing plant health and resilience in sustainable agriculture.

References: 

• Anedo, E. O., Beesigamukama, D., Mochoge, B., Korir, N. K., Haukeland, S., Cheseto, X., Subramanian, S., Kelemu, S., & Tanga, C. M. (2024). Evolving dynamics of insect frass fertilizer for sustainable nematode management and potato production. Frontiers in Plant Science, 15, 1343038.  https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2024.1343038

• Agustiyani, D., Agandi, R., Arinafril, Nugroho, A. A., & Antonius, S. (2021). The effect of application of compost and frass from Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens L.) on growth of Pakchoi (Brassica rapa L.). IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 762(1), 012036. 10.1088/1755-1315/762/1/012036

• Choi, S., & Hassanzadeh, N. (2019). BSFL frass: A novel biofertilizer for improving plant health while minimizing environmental impact. Canadian Science Fair Journal, 2(2), 41-46. https://doi.org/10.18192/csfj.v2i220194146&#8203