Collaboration creates natural plant protection

An innovative collaboration between BioInsect, Queen Genetics and the Danish Technological Institute has just ended and has produced results for the development of BioFrass, a natural plant protection product that can reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizers in horticulture.

Through a knowledge bridge project, the partners have tested, analyzed and created results that can further develop BioFrass as a product to increase plant development and health.

BioFrass is made from insect residues, called frass, which is a less utilized by-product. BioInsect produces BioFrass from mealworms. The goal of BioFrass is to create a more environmentally friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers with plant-protective properties. The product is in its early stages and the goal of the collaboration was to test and develop BioFrass to become mature for use in horticulture.

Results and future perspectives

Frass is believed to have good properties in terms of boosting plants’ immune systems to make them more robust. The Danish Technological Institute was interested in how to use frass to stimulate the immune system of plants and wanted to test this through laboratory tests and plant trials. The trials were done in collaboration with BioInsect and Queens Generics and showed that BioFrass could significantly improve the weight and health of some plants. The use of treated BioFrass has the potential to reduce the need for pesticides, which is a great benefit for the environment.

We have seen an improvement in plant health when using BioFrass, especially when combined with bacteria – Neda Nasiri Moghadam, Project Manager, Danish Technological Institute.

The results were good when BioFrass was mixed with bacteria that could fight the fungi at the roots of the plants. Through three trials, it was found that the use of BioFrass together with bacteria identified through laboratory tests resulted in better plant growth compared to those who only had frass or bacteria, or did not have them at all.

One of the best results we observed was that a combination of frass and bacteria could help the infected plants recover after a few weeks, while the plants in the positive control group that received a regular pesticide did not survive – Neda Nasiri Moghadam, Danish Technological Institute.

Although the project has shown promising results, there is still room for improvement. The bacterium that was best at fighting fungal attacks is not yet approved by the authorities for use in horticulture. Therefore, future projects will focus on further optimizing the properties of BioFrass and investigating its potential in different soil conditions. However, the partners are happy with the collaboration and knowledge that the project has brought them:

The flexibility of the project and the collaboration has been fantastic. It’s been easy to test some ideas and gain knowledge without being overwhelmed with paperwork – Jonas Lembcke Andersen, Senior Specialist, Danish Technological Institute.

The project has contributed valuable knowledge about future solutions for a more sustainable plant production. The collaboration between BioInsect, Queen Genetics and the Danish Technological Institute shows how combined expertise can lead to solutions that benefit both agriculture and the environment.