Action of Black Soldier Fly Frass Fertilizer and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Growth Enhancement, Disease Expression Control, and Pest Attacks in Lycopersicon esculentum L. Plants

Nguetrapouna Issofa^{1, 2}, Mbenoun Masse Paul Serge³, Meguekam Tekam Liliane¹, Mbouobda Hermann Désiré^{1, 4}, Manuela Diobe Motassy^{1, 5}, Mbansie Gbetkom Louhd³ and Djeuani Astride Carole^{1, 5,}

¹Laboratory of Plant Physiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Higher Teacher Training College, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon

²Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon

³Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon

⁴Department of Biology, Higher Teacher Training College, University of Bamenda, Bamenda, Cameroon

⁵Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon

Cite this paper:
Nguetrapouna Issofa, Mbenoun Masse Paul Serge, Meguekam Tekam Liliane, Mbouobda Hermann Désiré, Manuela Diobe Motassy, Mbansie Gbetkom Louhd and Djeuani Astride Carole. Action of Black Soldier Fly Frass Fertilizer and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Growth Enhancement, Disease Expression Control, and Pest Attacks in Lycopersicon esculentum L. Plants. World Journal of Agricultural Research. 2026; 14(2):63-73. doi: 10.12691/wjar-14-2-5

Abstract

The overall objective of this work was to apply beneficial fertilizers to improve growth in L. esculentum while evaluating their impact on Fusarium oxysporum and pest attacks. The work was conducted under two conditions (in greenhouses and outdoors). The Rio Grande and Kéro F1 varieties of L. esculentum were used. The experimental design was a complete block with four treatments applied, control, NPK, black soldier fly frass fertilizer (BSFFF), and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Agronomic growth parameters, disease incidence and severity, and the various pests responsible for the attacks were evaluated. In the presence of the BSFFF treatment, an average height increase of L. esculentum plants of 30% was observed for the Kéro F1 variety in greenhouses and 19% for the Rio Grande variety (outdoors) compared to the controls. Similarly, the values of the parameters diameters at the collar, 48.44% for Rio Grande (greenhouse) and 17% for Kero F1 (outside greenhouse); leaf area, 45% for Rio Grande (greenhouse) and 60% for Rio Grande (outside greenhouse), are also influenced by BSFFF compared to the controls. In the greenhouse and outside the greenhouse, plants inoculated with AMF presented a colonization rate of 70% and 60% compared to the controls. The evaluation of the effect of BSFFF and AMF on plant health showed that the development of the disease occurs according to the treatments. There is a significant reduction in the severity of the diseases in plants having received AMF and BSFFF treatment compared to the controls, with respectively -15% and -7% (greenhouse) and -16% and -8% (outside greenhouse). This reduction appears more remarkable on Fusarium wilt caused by F. oxysporum. In view of these results, the use of BSFFF and AMF could be an avenue to explore in the context of soil fertilization and plant protection during the cultivation of L. esculentum.

Keywords:
Lycopersicon esculentum black soldier fly frass fertilizer arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Fusarium oxysporum pest attack

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References:

[1]	Anonyme, Record historique de la production mondiale de L. esculentum. , (FAO). Retrieved on 20/11/2023. 2021.
[2]	Anonyme, Production mondiale de L. esculentum par pays. , . Retrieved on 26/06/2025. 2025.
[3]	Bhowmik, D., Sampath Kumar, K.P., Paswan, S., Srivastava, S., Tomato-A Natural Medicine and Its Health Benefits. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 1(1):33-43. 2012. .
[4]	Toor, R.K., Lister, C.E. and Savage, G.P., Antioxidant activities of New Zealand-grown tomatoes. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, 56(8): 597-605. 2005.
[5]	Ali, M.Y., Sina, A.A., Khandker, S.S., Neesa, L., Tanvir, E.M., Kabir, A., Khalil, M.I., Gan, S.H., Nutritional Composition and Bioactive Compounds in Tomatoes and Their Impact on Human Health and Disease: A Review. Foods. 10(1):45. 2020.
[6]	Luo, Y., Liang, J., Zeng, G., Chen, M., Mo, D., Li, G., and Zhang, D., Seed germination test for toxicity evaluation of compost: Its roles, problems and prospects, Waste Management, 71: 109-114, 2018.
[7]	De Bon Hubert, Fondio Lassina, Dugué Patrick, Coulibali Z., Biard Yannick. Etude d'identification et analyse des contraintes à la production maraîchère selon les grandes zones agro-climatiques de la Côte d'Ivoire. Rapport d'expertise. Montpellier: CIRAD, 140 p. 2019.
[8]	Yah N’guettia, M., Amako Pauline, N., Marie Hélène, K.A., Senan, S., Drissa, K., et Boni Clovis, K. Contrôle des maladies de la tomate (L. esculentum (Solanum Lycopercicum L.) en culture avec trois extraits de plantes à Daloa (Cote D’ivoire) European Scientific Journal, 18 (17): 111. 2022.
[9]	Clark, R.B. and Zeto, S.K., Growth and root colonization of mycorrhizal maize grown on acid and alkaline soil. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 28 (10–11): 1505-1511. 1996.
[10]	Abdel Latef, A.A.H., Influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and copper on growth, accumulation of osmolyte, mineral nutrition and antioxidant enzyme activity of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Mycorrhiza. 21(6):495-503. 2011.
[11]	Nelly, S.A., Angelbert, D.C., and Consorcia, E.R., Growth response of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) plant as affected by bamboo biochar and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in sterilized and unsterilized soil. Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology, 22, 101347, 2019.
[12]	Liu, J., Maldonado-Mendoza, I., Lopez-Meyer, M., Cheung, F., Town, C.D., Harrison, M.J., Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis is accompanied by local and systemic alterations in gene expression and an increase in disease resistance in the shoots. Plant Journal, 50(3):529-544. 2007.
[13]	Campos-Soriano, L., García-Garrido, J.M., San Segundo, B. Activation of basal defense mechanisms of rice plants by Glomus intraradices does not affect the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis. New Phytologist, 188(2):597-614. 2010.
[14]	Agustiyani, D., Agandi, R., Arinafril, Nugroho, A.A., and Antonius S., The effect of application of compost and frass from Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens L.) on growth of Pakchoi (Brassica rapa L.). IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 762, 012036. 2021.
[15]	Beesigamukama, D., Mochoge, B., Korir, N.K., Fiaboe, K.K.M., Nakimbugwe, D., Khamis, F.M., Subramanian, S., Dubois, T., Musyoka, M.W., Ekesi, S., Kelemu, S., Tanga, C.M., Exploring Black Soldier Fly Frass as Novel Fertilizer for Improved Growth, Yield, and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Maize Under Field Conditions. Frontier in Plant Science 23(11):574592. 2020.
[16]	Quilliam, R.S., Nuku-Adeku, C., Maquart, P., Little, D., Newton, R., and Murray, F., Integrating Insect Frass Biofertilisers into Sustainable Peri-Urban Agro-Food Systems. Journal of Insects as Food and Feed 6: 315-322. 2020.
[17]	Calvet, G. and Villemin, P., Interprétation des analyses de terre. IPAS, SADEF-SCPA, Aspach le Bas, France, 25 p. 1986.
[18]	Shumo, M., Osuga, I.M., Khamis, F.M., Tanga, C.M., Fiaboe, K., Subramanian, S. and Borgemeister, C., The nutritive value of black soldier fly larvae reared on common organic waste streams in Kenya. Scientific Reports. 9 (0110): 1-13. 2019.
[19]	Djeuani, A.C., Amama Amama, B., Mbouobda, H.D., Tiki, A.M.K., Adounga, S.B., Nyimiebolo, B.A.M., Manuela, D.M., Nshanji, J., Niemenak, N., Application of the PIF Method in Seed Multiplication in Xanthosoma sagittifolium L. Schott: Effect of the Mass of the Corm Fragment and Realization of the Field Transfer Test. American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 11(5): 203-211. 2023.
[20]	Rijal, M., Sulastri, Sahubauwa, L., Safitri, D., Samputri, S., Hiariej, A., La Ridwan., Plant height, number of leaves, and flowers of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum l) after the application of eco-enzyme from nutmeg leaf waste. Jurnal Bioedukasi, 8 (1): 516-527. 2025.
[21]	Phillips, J.M. and Hayman, D.A., Improved Procedures for Clearing Roots and Staining Parasitic and Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi for Rapid Assessment of Infection. Transactions of the British Mycological Society, 55: 158-161. 1970.
[22]	Trouvelot, A., Kough, J.L. and Gianinazzi-Pearson, V., Mesure du taux de mycorhization VA d’un systeme radiculaire. Recherche de methods d’estimation ayant une signification fonctionnelle. In: Gianinazzi-Pearson V. and Gianinazzi, S., Eds, Physiological and Genetical Aspects of Mycorrhizae, INRA, Paris, 217-221. 1986.
[23]	Manikandan, R., Saravanakumar, D., Rajendran, L., Raguchander, T. and Samiyappan, R., Standardization of liquid formulation of Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf1 for its efficacy against Fusarium wilt of tomato, Biological Control, 54(2): 83-89, 2010.
[24]	Vakalounakis, D.J. and Fragkiadakis, G.A., Genetic Diversity of Fusarium oxysporum Isolates from Cucumber: Differentiation by Pathogenicity, Vegetative Compatibility, and RAPD Fingerprinting. Phytopathology, 89(2):161-8. 1999.
[25]	Cabrer de la colina, Races of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.ciceri in Andalucia, Southern Spain. International Chickpea Newsletter 13: 34B26. 1987.
[26]	Lechappe, J., Rouxel, F., et Sanson, M.T., Le complex parasitaire du pied du haricot. I. Mise en évidence des principaux champignons responsables de la maladie: Fusarium solani f. sp. phaseoli et Thielaviopsis basicola. Agronomie 8(5):451-457. 1988. .
[27]	Nasir, M. and Hoppe, H. Evaluation of seed treatments to control Mycosphaerella pinodes. Ann. Appl. Biol. 112 (Supplement), Testing agrochemical and cultivars 19: 20 – 21. 1998.
[28]	Djeugap, J.F., Abireche, H.U., Donfack, C.P.Z., Sonkoue, A.M., Ndogho, A., Nouteka, J.N.K., Cultural characterization of five isolates of Fusarium oxysporum F. Sp. Cubense (Banana fusarium wilt) and antifungal activity of plant extracts. Pakistan Journal of Phytopathology, 35 (01): 43-53. 2023.
[29]	Yang, Y., Wang, Y., Gao, J., Shi, Z., Chen, W., Huangfu, H., Li, Z., and Liu, Y., Characterisation of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici in Infected Tomatoes in Inner Mongolia, China. J Fungi (Basel). 10(9): 622. 2024.
[30]	Borror, D.J., Triplehorn, C.A. and Johnson, N.F., An introduction to the study of insects. 6th ed. Philadelphia: Saunders, USA. 1989.
[31]	Southwood, T.R.E. and Henderson, P.A., Ecological Methods, 3th Edition. Published by Blackwell Science Ltd Editorial Offices: Osney Mead, Oxford OX2. 594 pages. 2000.
[32]	Delvare et Aberlenc, Les insectes d’Afrique et d’Amérique tropicale ; clés pour la reconnaissance des familles. PRIFAS, CIRAD-GERDAT, 298 pp. 1989.
[33]	Gelhaus, J.K., The crane-fly Tipula (Tipula) oleracea (Diptera: Tipulidae) reported from Michigan; A new pest of turfgrass in Eastern North America. Great Lakes Entomology, 38(1 & 2), 97-99. 2005.
[34]	Panahi, M., Sadhasivam, N., Pourghasemi, H.R., Rezaie, F. and Lee, S., Spatial prediction of groundwater potential mapping based on convolutional neural network (CNN) and support vector regression (SVR). Journal of Hydrology, 588, 125033. 2020.
[35]	Swanson, D.R. Taxonomic changes in Salyavatinae (Heteroptera:Reduviidae), with an updated generic key. Zootaxa, 4312, 515–530. 2017.
[36]	Aigner, B.L., Crossley, M.S., Abney, M.R., Biology and Management of Peanut Burrower Bug (Hemiptera: Cydnidae) in Southeast U.S. Peanut. Journal of Integrated Pest Management, 12(1), 29. 2012.
[37]	Mubekaphi, C., Nciizah, A.D., Dube, E. and Fanadzo, M. The Potential of Black Soldier Fly Frass to Revitalise Marginal Soils. In: Nciizah, A.D., Roopnarain, A., Ndaba, B., and Malobane, M.E., (eds) The Marginal Soils of Africa. Springer, Cham. 2024.
[38]	Rosmiati, M., Nurjanah, K.A, Suantika, G. et Putra, R.E. Application de compost produit par bioconversion de coque de café par des larves de mouches soldats noires (Hermetia illucens) comme engrais solide pour la laitue (Lactuca sativa Var. Crispa): Impact sur la croissance. Actes de la Conférence internationale sur les technologies vertes 8: 38-44. 2017.
[39]	Unagwu, B.O., Odu, C.F., Amuji, C.F., Eze, M.O., Ebido, N.E., Abara, C.U., Igboka, C.R. and Chukwudi, U.P., The Influence of Black Soldier Fly Residue on Watermelon Growth and the Properties of a Coarse-Textured Ultisol. Soil Systems, 9(2), 43. 2025.
[40]	Banito, A., Banla, E.M., Ayisah, D.K., Sogbedji, J.M., Efficacité des champignons mycorhiziens contre les nématodes parasites de la tomate au Togo. Journal of Applied Biosciences 89: 8256– 8262. 2015.
[41]	Fuchs, J. and Larbi, M. Disease Control with Quality Compost in Pot and Field Trails. I International Conference on Soil and Composts Eco-Biology, León, Spain, 15-17 September 2004, 157-166. 2004.
[42]	Sharp, R., Examen des applications de la chitine et de ses dérivés en agriculture pour modifier les interactions plantes-microbes et améliorer les rendements des cultures. Agronomie 3: 757-793. 2013.
[43]	Pu, C., Ge, Y., Yang, G., Zheng, H., Guan, W., Chao, Z., Shen, Y., Liu, S., Chen, M. and Huang, L. 2022. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi enhance disease resistance of Salvia miltiorrhiza to Fusarium wilt. Frontier in Plant Science 13: 975558.
[44]	Bernard, T. Guide d’identification des différentes espèces ou variétés de Fusarium rencontrées en France sur la pomme de terre et dans son environnement. Agronomie, 8 (3): 211-222. Hal-00885091. 1988. .
[45]	Patouma, L., Nukenine, E.N., Adamou, I., Djieto-Lordon. C. Caractérisation de l’entomofaune de la tomate (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) en champ dans la localité de Meskine, région de l’Extrême-nord, Cameroun. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences, 14(6): 2069-2076. 2020.
[46]	Djieto-Lordon, C., Heumou, C.R., Azang, P.S.E., Alene, C.D., Ngueng, A.C. and Ngassam, P., Assessment of pest insects of Capsicum annuum L.1753 (Solanaceae) in a cultivation cycle in Yaoundé. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences, 8(2): 621-632. 2014.
[47]	Diatte, M., Brévault, T., Sylla, S., Sall-Sy, D., Coly, E.V., Diarra, K., Incidence de deux ravageurs clés des cultures de tomate plein champ dans la zone maraîchère des Niayes au Sénégal. UCAD. 2015. .
[48]	Hammou L.B., La dynamique des populations de Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) sur une culture de tomate sous abris au niveau de la ferme expérimentale de Mazagran Mostaganem. Mémoire de Master, Université Abdelhamid Ibn Badis, 49 pages. 2017. .