Insect Frass: A Promising Fertilizer for Sustainable Agriculture

Authors

  • M. Anil Kumar National Institute of Plant Health Management, Rajendranagar, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, Hyderabad, Telangana ( 500 030), India
  • Mandla Rajashekhar Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana (500 030), India
  • A. Vaishnavi Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir (180 009), India
  • K. Sahithi Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, Chattisgarh (492 006), India
  • K. Bharghavi Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana (500 030), India
  • S. Leela Praveen National Institute of Plant Health Management, Rajendranagar, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, Hyderabad, Telangana ( 500 030), India
  • Ch. Asritha Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana (500 030), India

Keywords:

Insect pollination, Environment, Biodiversity, Insect adaptations, Insects food

Abstract

With the increasing global human population rapidly, there is demand for alternative animal protein sources. Mass breeding of insects for feed and food has emerged as a notable alternative. Byproduct of this process is insect frass (excreta), produced up to 40 times more than the actual insect biomass. Utilizing frass as an organic fertilizer, a viable alternative to chemical fertilizers in sustainable agriculture. The article highlights the merits of insect frass in sustainable agriculture. (1) Frass serves as source of nutrients for the soil, particularly nitrogen, offering easily absorbable elements for plants. (2) The composition of frass includes biomolecules and microorganisms that actively promote plant growth, enhances plants resilience to environmental stresses, bolstering their resistance to diseases and pests.

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Published

2024-04-17

Issue

Vol. 8 No. Jun, 2 (2024)

Section

Articles