At Oberland, we harness the power of biology-driven innovation to help crops flourish, starting with the soil. In a 2024 commercial strawberry trial, our Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) frass was tested at multiple application rates to evaluate its impact on fruit quality, plant nutrient uptake, and early growth. The results showed clear benefits, including increased sweetness (Brix levels), higher silicon absorption for improved plant resilience, and stronger early development, demonstrating how Oberland frass supports healthier strawberries from the ground up.
Strawberry Trial Highlights
In a commercial farm trial, we applied Oberland BSFL frass to strawberry plants at rates of 0, 200, 500, and 1000kg/ha. Here is what we saw:
- Increased Brix (sweetness)
- Higher Silicon Uptake in Plants
- Greater Potential for Stress Resilience
Why These Results Matter to Growers
More than just sweeter berries – Oberland BSFL frass may help boost crop resilience too.
- Brix = Sweetness: higher Brix levels improve market appeal and consumer satisfaction
- Silicon Matters: frass treated fields showed higher Si uptake, which may improve plant health.
- Combat Powdery Mildew: research shows that silicon supports resistance to powdery mildew, a major issue in strawberry production (Xiao, et al., 2022)
Preliminary trial results show real promise in improving strawberry sweetness and stress resistance. More trials are underway – join our mailing list be the first to get updates.
References
Xiao, J., Li, Y., & Jeong, B. R. (2022). Foliar silicon spray before summer cutting propagation enhances resistance to powdery mildew of daughter plants. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(7), 3803. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23073803