Effects of Tenebrio molitor (Mealworm) Frass on the Growth of Ginseng Sprout (Panax ginseng) in Commercial Potting Soil

The forecasted growth of edible insect production will generate high quantities of manure. Agricultural application of Tenebrio molitor frass (TMF) may improve soil fertility and increases crop production. This study was conducted to determine an optimum application rate of TMF for ginseng sprout growth in commercial potting soil. Ginseng was seeded in commercial potting soil (control), TMF 3% + perlite 30% + cocopeat 67% (TMF 3%), TMF 5% + perlite 30% + cocopeat 65% (TMF 5%), and TMF 10% + perlite 30% + cocopeat 60% (TMF 10%). The results showed that the germination rate of ginseng in the TMF 3% treatment was significantly higher than those in the other treatments. In addition, plant height, leaf length, leaf width, root length, and root weight of ginseng sprout showed significantly higher in TMF 3% treatment, leading to a lower SPAD value due to nitrogen dilution compared to those of control and TMF 5%. Our findings suggest that application of TMF at 3% is suitable for production of ginseng sprout in commercial potting soil.Intermediate growth of ginseng sprout by Tenebrio molitor frass (TMF). Control, commercial potting soil; TMF 3%, TMF 3% + perlite 30% + cocopeat 67%; TMF 5%, TMF 5% + perlite 30% + cocopeat 65%; and TMF 10%, TMF 10% + perlite 30% + cocopeat 60%.