Application of mealworm FRASS fertilizer in sugar beet production: Step towards profitable and ecologically balanced sugar beet production

Abstract

To address the growing demand for sugar, sugar beet production must be increased. However, conventional chemical fertilizers, essential for root growth and yield quality, are environmentally harmful due to factors like greenhouse gas emissions and organic pollution. To address this issue, we need to consider eco-friendly organic alternatives, such as FRASS, which is the residue from mealworm larval excrement. FRASS is rich in essential nutrients (ESN), including nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). In our study, we aim to explore the potential of FRASS as an environmentally innovative fertilizer for sugar beet production, given the increasing popularity of mealworm farming. In a field experiment, we compared the efficacy of pre-sowing fertilization on two sugar beet varieties using three different models of two fertilizer concentrations (N:P:K 80:60:40 & N:P:K 40:30:20 ): pure mealworm FRASS, a combination of FRASS and mineral fertilizer, and pure mineral fertilizer (NPK). Our goal was to maintain the same level of ESN between NPK fertilizers and FRASS.