The 2012 ASHS Annual Conference

A study was initiated to determine the potential for composted solid and semi-solid insect rearing waste as a growth substrate for plants. Semi-solid larval diet was washed through the vermiculite pupation substrate and resulting material composted for six weeks. Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) was grown in either a commercial potting mixture or in blends of colony waste (CW) and equal parts compost plus peat (CP). Squash was grown in different 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 weight from 80%, 60%, and 40% CW, respectively, were higher than the commercial mix. Squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) grown in 20% CW had the highest shoot and root dry weights. No substance in the CW appeared to be detrimental to plant growth. As a potting substrate there were no differences in plant performance among the CW, the commercial mix or the CP.