Insect frass and exuviae to promote plant growth and health

Microbes with biocontrol or plant growth-promoting properties may reduce the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers and thereby support sustainable crop production. While the persistence and effectiveness of introduced single microbial agents in the field are often insufficient, organic soil amendments can serve as substrates to promote naturally occurring beneficial microbes. Insect-derived products such as exuviae and frass contain chitin and are rich in nitrogen as well as other nutrients that can improve soil quality and plant growth. Insect exuviae are colonised by potentially plant-protective or plant growth-promoting bacteria when added to soil. As the industrial production of insects for food and feed is increasing rapidly, large quantities of insect-derived products become available for soil amendment. Beneficial soil microorganisms can contribute to biocontrol of plant pests and diseases, induce systemic resistance (ISR) against attackers, and enhance crop yield. Using organic soil amendments has been suggested to stimulate the abundance and/or activity of beneficial indigenous microbes in the soil. Residual streams from insect farming (frass and exuviae) contain chitin and other compounds that may stimulate beneficial soil microbes that have ISR and biocontrol activity. Additionally, changes in plant phenotype that are induced by beneficial microorganisms may directly influence plant–pollinator interactions, thus affecting plant reproduction. We explore the potential of insect residual streams derived from the production of insects as food and feed to promote plant growth and health, as well as their potential benefits for sustainable agriculture. Beneficial soil microorganisms can contribute to biocontrol of plant pests and diseases, induce systemic resistance (ISR) against attackers, and enhance crop yield. Using organic soil amendments has been suggested to stimulate the abundance and/or activity of beneficial indigenous microbes in the soil. Residual streams from insect farming (frass and exuviae) contain chitin and other compounds that may stimulate beneficial soil microbes that have ISR and biocontrol activity. Additionally, changes in plant phenotype that are induced by beneficial microorganisms may directly influence plant–pollinator interactions, thus affecting plant reproduction. We explore the potential of insect residual streams derived from the production of insects as food and feed to promote plant growth and health, as well as their potential benefits for sustainable agriculture. moulted exoskeletons of insects. insect faeces. volatile compounds produced by plants in response to arthropod herbivory. enhanced plant resistance against below- and aboveground pathogens and herbivores that is induced by root-colonising microbes. by-products of farming insects for food and feed. molecules conserved in microbes that are recognised by plants. plant symbiotic soil bacteria that colonise roots and enhance plant growth.