Jiang, S., Tang, X., Wang, H., Henawy, A. R., Zhang, Q., Shen, K., Li, G., Xiang, F., & Zhang, Z. (2025). Biofertilizer derived from black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.) larval frass promotes tomato growth and suppresses bacterial wilt disease. Bioresource Technology, 133408. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2025.133408

Agriculture Emerging Science Natural Products

Black Soldier Fly Frass Biofertilizer Boosts Tomato Growth and Fights Bacterial Wilt

Aneknowledge October 5, 2025No Comments

Sustainable farming just got a powerful new ally—the black soldier fly.

A new study has revealed that biofertilizer made from black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larval frass not only promotes strong tomato plant growth but also suppresses bacterial wilt disease, a devastating soil-borne infection caused by Ralstonia solanacearum that can wipe out entire cropsBiofertilizer derived from blac….

From Waste to Biofertilizer

Black soldier fly larvae are already recognized for their role in waste recycling, converting organic residues into nutrient-rich byproducts. Their frass—essentially insect manure—can be processed into a bio-organic fertilizer (BOF) rich in nutrients, bioactive metabolites, and beneficial microbial communities.

Stronger Tomatoes, Fewer Losses

In greenhouse trials, tomato plants treated with BOF showed:

Higher growth rates (increased height, stem thickness, and leaf number).
Boosted chlorophyll content, improving photosynthesis.
Delayed disease onset and significantly reduced bacterial wilt severity, with up to 82% biocontrol efficacy.

How It Works

The study revealed that the non-microbial components of the frass (like chitin derivatives and bioactive compounds) play a critical role by:

Enhancing rhizosphere microbial diversity, fostering beneficial bacteria such as Pseudomonas and Sphingomonas that suppress pathogens.
Producing natural antimicrobial compounds (non-ribosomal peptides and polyketides) that directly inhibit disease-causing microbes.

Interestingly, while the live microbes in the frass help with growth, the disease resistance largely comes from these bioactive compounds and the reshaped rhizosphere ecosystem.

Toward Sustainable Crop Protection

This discovery highlights black soldier fly frass biofertilizer as a dual-purpose solution—boosting crop yield while reducing dependence on chemical pesticides. With rising concerns about soil health and food security, this innovation could reshape eco-friendly farming practices worldwide.

Reference

Jiang, S., Tang, X., Wang, H., Henawy, A. R., Zhang, Q., Shen, K., Li, G., Xiang, F., & Zhang, Z. (2025). Biofertilizer derived from black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.) larval frass promotes tomato growth and suppresses bacterial wilt disease. Bioresource Technology, 133408. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2025.133408

Last updated on October 3, 2025

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