A trial conducted by researchers at UniversitiTeknologi Malaysia (UTM) in collaboration with the Nutrition Technologies R&D department evaluated the performance of Diptia® in vegetable cultivation, focusing on its effects on crop yields, soil health, and overall return on investment (ROI). The study compared Diptia® with other organic and chemical fertilizers to assess its efficacy as a sustainable biofertilizer for Malaysian farmers. Here, we summarize the trial design, methods, key results, and ROI analysis.
Trial Design and Methods
The trial was conducted at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and focused on Choy Sum (Brassica rapa var. parachinensis). The trial was designed so that all the treatments would have a standard Nitrogen dose (9g N / m2). This allows each fertilizer to be assessed on the basis of the availability of its nutrients and any biostimulant effect rather as the quantity of key nutrients is standardized. The design included four treatment groups:
Un-composted BSF Frass
Diptia®* (Fully Composted BSF Frass)
Brand A: Organic Fertilizer NPK 333
Brand B: Chemical Fertilizer NPK 16:16:16
Diptia® and Brand A Organic Fertilizer
Diptia® and Brand B Chemical Fertilizer
Control: No fertilizer application.
*At the time the trial was conducted the brand name Hi.Compost was used, the product was later rebranded as Diptia®. Each treatment was replicated multiple times to ensure statistical robustness. Key parameters measured included:
Fresh Yield: Total weight of harvested produce per plot.
Plant Survival Rates: Percentage of plants surviving until harvest.
Individual Plant Weight: Average weight of individual plants.
Soil Quality Metrics: Changes in organic matter content, porosity, and microbial activity.
Data were collected over a single cropping cycle and analyzed using statistical methods to compare the performance of each treatment.
Key Findings
1. Yield and Plant Performance
Fresh Yield: The combination of Diptia® and Brand B Chemical Fertilizers produced the highest average fresh yield of 3.36 kg per plot. This was higher than the Brand B Chemical Fertilizer alone (3.03kg per plot) even though this treatment had more quantity of Brand B fertilizer to meet the standard N dose.
Diptia® alone produced a yield of 2.64 kg per plot which significantly outperformed the organic fertilizer Brand B with only 1.2 kg yield and control group with no fertilizer (0.54 kg).
2. Soil Quality Improvements
Diptia® demonstrated clear benefits for soil health:
Soil Organic Matter: The Diptia® treatment resulted in a remarkalbe 12.2% increase in soil organic matter compared to a 9.9% decrease with the chemical fertilizer. All treatments that did not use Diptia and the control resulted in loss of soil organic matter including the raw frass. This illustrates the value of composting frass to build productive healthy soil.
Microbial Activity: Soil treated with Diptia® showed a significant increase in soil total aerobic plate count, a measure of healthy biological activity in the soil. Diptia, frass and DIptia mixed with organic fertilizers spiked the aerobic plate count
Return on Investment (ROI) Analysis
After the UTM trial was complete we conducted a simple economic analysis to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of Diptia®. Key findings included:
Cost of Application: Diptia® required lower application rates compared to traditional composts, resulting in reduced transportation and labor costs.
Return on Investment: Given the cost and yield impact the ROI calculation showed Diptia® generated XXX
Sustainability Savings: Long-term benefits, such as improved soil health and reduced reliance on chemical inputs, were not quantified in the immediate ROI but represent significant future savings for farmers.
The analysis concluded that Diptia® offers a competitive ROI while providing additional environmental benefits that chemical fertilizers cannot match.
Broader Implications
The findings of this trial underscore the value of integrating Diptia® into agricultural practices. With its unique combination of high organic matter (80%), a low C:N ratio of 10, and humic substances, Diptia® enhances both soil health and crop performance. It offers an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional fertilizers while maintaining comparable yields and improving long-term soil fertility.
Conclusion: A Step Forward for Malaysian Agriculture
This trial highlights the practical benefits of Diptia® as a biofertilizer. Its ability to deliver high yields, improve soil health, and offer competitive ROI makes it an attractive choice for Malaysian farmers facing challenges such as clay-heavy soils and high disease pressure. As the only 100% BSF frass product fully composted in Malaysia, Diptia® sets a new benchmark for sustainable agriculture.
By adopting Diptia®, farmers can achieve a balance between productivity and environmental stewardship, paving the way for a more resilient and sustainable agricultural system.
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