Effectiveness of kasgot fertilizer with variations of water hyacinth feed and rice bran on the growth improvement of water spinach

Abstract

Sustainable agriculture requires innovative, eco-friendly organic fertilizers. One promising option is kasgot, frass produced from Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae fed on local waste like rice bran and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). This study aimed to analyze how feed variations affect kasgot’s impact on water spinach (Ipomoea reptans) growth, identify the most effective feed, and determine the most responsive growth parameters. A Completely Randomized Design was used with three treatments: control (no kasgot), kasgot from rice bran, and kasgot from water hyacinth, each with five replications. Parameters observed included plant height, number of leaves, and fresh weight. Results showed that rice bran kasgot significantly improved growth, with plant height rising from 11.8 cm to 79.8 cm, leaves from 60.7 to 169, and fresh weight reaching 25.2 g. Water hyacinth kasgot also enhanced growth, with height increasing to 68.8 cm, lleaves to 143.5, and fresh weight to 23.04 g. Based on these findings, rice bran-based kasgot is the most effective, while water hyacinth-based kasgot remains a beneficial option. Both demonstrate strong potential as sustainable fertilizers to support plant growth and reduce reliance on chemical inputs.