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Abstract
A study was initiated to determine the potential for composted solid and semi-solid insect rearing waste as a growth substrate for plants. The substrate consisted of fruit fly colony waste (CW) prepared by washing an agar-based larval diet through a vermiculite pupation substrate, which was then composted for six weeks prior to use. Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) was grown in either a commercial potting mixture or blends of colony waste (CW) and equal parts compost plus peat (CP). Squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) was grown in different ratios of CW:sand (S) mixtures. Mixes of 80:20 and 100:0 CW:CP had radish germination rates equal to the commercial mix. Radish shoot dry weights from 80, 60 and 40% CW were higher than those from the commercial mix. Squash grown in 20% CW had the highest shoot and root dry weights. No substance in the CW appeared to be detrimental to plant growth. Composted insect rearing waste is a material rich in nutrients and suitable for inclusion in a potting mixture. A mixture of peat and 30-70% CW resulted in plant performance greater than or equal to that observed with a commercial mix.