Recycling Sericulture Byproducts: Nutrient Profile and Biofertilizer Potential of Silkworm Frass
Reddi Gowrisankar
*
Basic Seed Multiplication and Training Centre, Central Silk Board, Nabarangpur, 764059, Odisha, India.
J Komal
Basic Tasar Silkworm Seed Organization, Central Silk Board, Bilaspur, 495112, Chhattisgarh, India.
Surekha Dasari
Division of Entomology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, 110012, New Delhi, India.
D. V. Naveen
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Sericulture, Chintamani, 563125, UAS Bengaluru, India.
B Tirupam Reddy
Basic Seed Multiplication and Training Centre, Central Silk Board, Bastar, 494223, Chhattisgarh, India.
Vishaka G.V
Basic Tasar Silkworm Seed Organization, Central Silk Board, Bilaspur, 495112, Chhattisgarh, India.
H. Nadaf
Basic Tasar Silkworm Seed Organization, Central Silk Board, Bilaspur, 495112, Chhattisgarh, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Silkworm frass is used in a novel technology called Seri composting which is a transition towards environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional synthetic fertilizers. In a country like India, Silkworm frass - a byproduct of sericulture, is emerging as a promising organic amendment is not only vital for the environment, but it is also economically necessary. This study evaluates the composition of the nutrient profile of frass in the four silkworm species Mulberry, Tasar, Eri and Muga in comparison with farmyard manure (FYM). Results revealed that silkworm frass is rich in nitrogen (1.78–2.13%), phosphorus (0.30–0.68%), potassium (1.15–1.62%), calcium (0.13–0.24%), magnesium (0.32–0.57%), and sulphur (0.46–0.82%), surpassing FYM in macronutrient content. The favourable C:N ratio supports its application as a biofertilizer. This research integrates the potentiality of silkworm frass as a sustainable input for integrated soil fertility management while reducing environment impact there by achieving circular bioeconomy.
Keywords: Sustainable agriculture, macro-and micronutrients, silkworm frass, biofertilizer, byproducts, farmyard manure, organic amendment