Description
Organic waste from agriculture and food sectors remains underutilized, despite its potential to support a circular bioeconomy. At the same time, plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) continue to threaten crops worldwide, while reliance on synthetic nematicides is declining due to environmental concerns, high costs, and regulatory restrictions. Black soldier fly (BSF; Hermetia illucens) bioconversion offers a promising solution by transforming organic waste into valuable products such as nutrient-rich larval biomass and frass fertilizer. This review explores BSF's role in connecting waste valorization with sustainable nematode control. Research indicates that BSF frass can suppress PPN by increasing soil biological activity, promoting beneficial microorganisms, supporting chitin degradation, and strengthening plant defenses. These effects may also help control soil pathogens like Fusarium, Rhizoctonia, and Pythium, while enhancing nutrient cycling, microbial diversity, and overall soil health. However, current research is fragmented, with significant gaps in frass standardization, feedstock consistency, application methods, field validation, and understanding of the biological processes involved in pathogen suppression. This review recommends establishing a research framework to integrate BSF products into circular agriculture through standardized production, multidisciplinary evaluation, and farmer-centered field studies. Progress in these areas could inform policies that promote organic waste valorization, reduce synthetic nematicide use, and support sustainable crop management. For farmers, this approach offers a way to convert local organic waste into valuable resources that improve soil health, boost yields, and lower costs.
| Title | From Waste to Crop Protection: Harnessing Black Soldier Fly for Circular Agriculture and Nematode Management |
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