Assessing the effects of Black Soldier Fly Frass in Commercial Maize Cultivars and its Impact against Fall Armyworm

Project Overview

GNC26-436
Project Type: Graduate Student
Funds awarded in 2026: $19,998.00
Projected End Date: 10/14/2028
Grant Recipient: University of Nebraska- Lincoln
Region: North Central
State: Nebraska
Graduate Student:
Esha Kaler
Email
Faculty Advisor:
Joe Louis
Email
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Commodities

No commodities identified

Practices

No practices identified

Proposal abstract:

Assessing the Effects of Black Soldier Fly Frass in Field Corn Hybrids and Its Impact against Fall Armyworm

Recent decades have intensified agriculture, increasing reliance on synthetic inputs and raising cost, safety, and ecological concerns. Major inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides have risen 18-37% since 2021 in the US. This creates an opportunity for alternatives like black soldier fly frass (BSFF), a nutrient-rich product from waste bioconversion. BSFF has been shown to increase yields by ~20-40%, improve soil nitrogen (~41%) and organic matter (~22%), enhance nitrogen use efficiency by 48%, and boost maize growth by ~30%. It may also improve plant health and resistance to fall armyworm (FAW), though field evidence is still limited.

Before on-farm trials, we will screen three commercial maize hybrids, NK1082 (non-BT; 110d), NK1228 (non-BT; 112d), and NK1188 (non-BT; 111d), under open-field ground bed conditions to assess feasibility, optimize field design, and evaluate whether BSFF influences growth or resistance. Subsequently, we will evaluate the hybrids already planted by participating farmers in fields across Nebraska and Kansas to assess BSFF effects under natural, real-world conditions. A 2 × 2 factorial randomized complete block design will be used, with BSFF application (present/absent) and FAW infestation (present/absent) as fixed factors, with four replications. Treatments include: (1) control (no BSFF, no FAW), (2) BSFF only, (3) FAW only, and (4) BSFF + FAW. Data will be analyzed using a mixed-effects ANOVA model with BSFF, and FAW as fixed effects while location, hybrid, year, and block are random effects.

For farmers and ranchers, this project provides practical options to reduce fertilizer and pesticide dependence, improve soil health, and strengthen crop resilience. Region-specific, on-farm data across two states and hybrids ensures relevance to real production systems. Findings can extend to pests like WCR and diseases such as Southern Corn Leaf Blight, supporting integration into existing fertilizer and pest management programs.

Mnthambala F, Tembo K, Chitete MMN, et al. Farmers' willingness to pay for organic fertilisers from Black Soldier Fly Larvae frass in Malawi. Discover Sustainability. 2026.

AFBF. 2026. Significant farm losses persist, despite federal assistance.

Solofondranohatra CL, Ony CA, Burza S, Fisher BL. Preliminary field evaluation of black soldier fly frass as an organic fertilizer on maize (Zea mays L.) growth and yield in southeastern Madagascar. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. 2025 Oct 9;9.

Project objectives from proposal:

Target audience: Maize farmers, extension agents, and agri-business stakeholders involved in sustainable input production, crop management, and the BSFF production system. As BSFF is produced from waste organic matter, the demand for this product will also help in waste management, increasing the ecological impact of the project.

This project will generate practical, field-based evidence on the use of BSFF as a natural fertilizer and biopesticide in maize systems.

Learning outcomes

  1. Farmers gain knowledge on how BSFF affects maize growth, nutrient status, and yield across different hybrids.
  2. Farmers can identify the role of BSFF in improving plant resistance to FAW.
  3. Farmers and extension agents learn appropriate application methods, rates, and timing for BSFF use, potentially.
  4. Stakeholders have increased awareness of BSFF as a sustainable alternative or complement to synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

Action outcomes

  1. Farmers will express interest in testing BSFF in small on-farm trials.
  2. Some farmers may experiment with BSFF alongside existing fertilizer or pest management practices.
  3. Extension agents will gain information to support future advisory recommendations.
  4. Agri-businesses may explore the feasibility of BSFF production and distribution.

Because this is a foundational study on the role of BSFF in plant health and pest resistance, it is expected to generate strong follow up questions from farmers and stakeholders. Growers' interest in testing specific, field-relevant questions will further extend project outcomes beyond the initial study.

Measurement of outcomes

  1. Pre- and post-project surveys to assess changes in farmer knowledge and awareness.
  2. Farmer feedback on willingness to adopt BSFF practices for demo-trials
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.