Black soldier flies, veracious consumers of organic waste, are used worldwide for composting. A biproduct of this process, frass, has demonstrated the ability to suppress weed seed germination. In collaboration with scientists at Southern Cross University, my Fulbright research will unravel the chemical and biological mechanisms behind this phenomenon.
Stephen Meyers is an Associate Professor of horticulture crops weed science at Purdue University. He conducts research in the areas of weed biology, weed-crop interactions, and integrated weed management to address the needs of fruit and vegetable farmers. His current research interests include exploring the potential of black soldier flies for weed management.
In collaboration with scientists at Southern Cross University, Dr. Meyers will confirm the weed suppressive ability of black soldier fly compost tea to weeds of concern in Australia and gain a deeper understanding behind its potential chemical and biological mechanisms of action.