Growth responses of hybrid corn applied with black soldier fly frass (BSFF)

This study evaluated the effects of integrating Black Soldier Fly (BSF) frass with inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield performance of hybrid corn. A field experiment was conducted using six treatments: T1-control, T2- recommended rate of inorganic fertilizer, T3- half rate of inorganic fertilizer, T4- recommended rate plus BSF frass, T5 half rate plus BSF frass, and T6- BSF frass alone. Results showed that T4 consistently recorded the highest values across key parameters, including plant height, ear length and diameter, ear weight, shelling percentage, and grain yield. T2 and T5 also performed significantly well, indicating that partial substitution of synthetic fertilizer with BSF frass can maintain high productivity. Notably, T5 achieved comparable yields to full-rate IOF, offering a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable alternative. While BSF frass alone (T6) significantly improved growth and yield over the control, it was not sufficient to match IOF-inclusive treatments. The computed grain yield ranged from 6.51 tons/ha in the control to 12.82 tons/ha in T2, with T6 showing a 32% yield increase over T1. These findings highlight the agronomic potential of BSF frass as a complementary organic input that enhances nutrient efficiency, supports partial fertilizer replacement, and contributes to sustainable corn production. The use of BSF frass in integrated nutrient management strategies is therefore recommended to improve crop output while reducing chemical input dependency. published by the International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)